Captors didn’t hit me, gave tablets for diabetes: Father Tom Uzhunnalil

A Catholic priest from India who was freed after being held 18 months in Yemen said today that he was never physically harmed, even if his captors feigned hitting him on videos released during his captivity.

The Rev Tom Uzhunnalil, who hails from Kerala, was kidnapped from a home for senior citizens in Aden, southern Yemen, established by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in March 2016. Four nuns were killed during the attack. Uzhunnalil’s voice broke as he publicly expressed his condolences. “I thank God almighty for this day. He saved me healthy enough. Clear mind. Emotions under control until now,” the 59 -year-old Uzhunnalil said. “God has been extremely kind to me. No gun was pointed at me.” Officials said they had no knowledge of a ransom having been paid.

Uzhunnalil said that when the home for senior citizens was attacked, he identified himself as an Indian and he was brought to another room “while they killed the others.” Indian officials announced his release on Tuesday, and images show a bearded, gaunt Uzhunnalil descending from an airplane in Muscat, Oman. The priest said he had been transferred from Yemen by car to Oman, and then brought by air to the capital …read more