The Daily Star - Authorities study video for clues on missing Estonians - April 22, 2011

By Patrick Galey

The Daily Star BEIRUT: The online posting of a video showing seven Estonian nationals kidnapped in the Bekaa Valley last month has reignited investigations into their disappearance, the head of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) said Thursday. Major General Ashraf Rifi said investigators were thoroughly studying the video, which was posted this week on social media website YouTube, in a bid to gather clues on the groups’ whereabouts. “We are working on this issue and studying the video to see if we can get any conclusive evidence on it. We are coordinating with French and Estonian [diplomats] in Lebanon,” Rifi told The Daily Star. The video, which has since been removed, featured the seven Estonian nationals making a heartfelt plea to world leaders for action to liberate them. The footage was undated and featured no mention of the kidnappers, but Rifi said the message it contained was clear. “They want money but they didn’t tell us how much they want yet. This is evident from the video,” he said. Rifi added that four suspects were being held by the ISF in direct connection with the abduction, as well as four individuals who are alleged to have “contributed to the kidnapping by providing some logistical support.” “We have no idea about [whether the Estonians are still alive] but we are working on finding out,” Rifi added, in reference to the footage being undated. Estonian Consul in Lebanon Sami Kammouh said that there were no plans for Estonian family members to travel to Lebanon in a bid to secure the captives’ release. “Cooperation is continuing as normal, there has been no negative affect [on Lebanese-Estonian] relations over [the kidnapping],” Kammouh told The Daily Star. He refused to comment over the exact processes governing the investigation of the video footage, but agreed with Rifi that the kidnappers may soon come forward with a ransom request. “The kidnappers will not prevail, and they are waiting for us to make a move over this. It looks like they are getting ready to issue their demands,” Kammouh said. “We are just waiting for more from the kidnappers, for them to tell us what it is they want.” When asked if Estonia may be willing to pay ransom to save the tourists, he responded: “This is a matter for the president [of Estonia] to decide. I can’t make those decisions on his behalf.” Seven Estonian cyclists were abducted at gunpoint March 23, on the outskirts of Zahle. A previously unknown group, Haraket al-Nahda Wal-Islah (Movement for Renewal and Reform), has taken responsibility for the abduction, but security sources say at least four presumed assailants remain at large.