Qaeda frees Swede:

People take part in a prayer for the celebration of the Eid al-Fitr on June 26 at the Independence Square in Accra. This holiday marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. The prayer has been officiated by the Chief Imam of Ghana, Osman Nuhu

Sharubutu, Accra on June 26. (AFP)

A Swede who had been held hostage by Al-Qaeda in Mali since 2011 has been freed and has returned home, the Swedish government said Monday, but the fate of a fellow hostage from South Africa remains unknown.

“I’m very pleased to announce that Johan (Gustafsson) has today been able to return to Sweden and be reunited with his family,” Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom told reporters late Monday as she showed a picture of Gustafsson surrounded by his family after he arrived home.

“I welcomed him home, and I can say that he is in good health and is holding up well, given the circumstances,” she said.

Wallstrom refused to provide details about how Sweden secured Gustafsson’s release, saying only that it occurred “a couple of days ago” and was the result of “several years of efforts” by police, politicians, diplomats and Swedish and international authorities.

She also did not comment on whether a ransom was paid. She said only that “Sweden’s policy is to not pay ransoms in the event of kidnappings.”

A Malian security source meanwhile told AFP that Mali officials “helped secure the release of the Swedish hostage. He was released in the Mali desert.” (AFP)