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Kerry Statement on Release of Massachusetts Natives Kidnapped in Egypt

Will Work to Get Them Back on American Soil

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement today after confirming with State Department and Egyptian officials that the two Massachusetts natives who were kidnapped on Friday, July 13th while traveling in the Sinai Peninsula have been released.  The two were traveling with other tourists on their way to Mount Sinai when their bus was stopped and, along with their tour guide, they were kidnapped. 

“What began as a sightseeing tour turned into an unimaginable nightmare for these Massachusetts families and thank God that nightmare is coming to an end,” said Sen. Kerry.  “I’m relieved to report that we’ve just confirmed directly with the State Department and Egyptian officials that these American citizens and their tour guide have been released. We’ve been in regular contact with the reverend’s family and we’re now working with Ambassador Patterson to find a way for them to communicate with their loved ones.  I’m hoping that will happen soon and we will help in any way possible to return them to their families on American soil.”

Senator Kerry, who is Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, began working with the State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo Friday evening and over the weekend, including direct conversations with Ambassador Anne Patterson, U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, early this morning.  Kerry also sent a letter to Secretary Clinton asking for her personal attention in this emergency. 

Senator Kerry added, “We cannot forget, however, that we still have two more kidnapped boys in Egypt that need to be reunited with their father. The circumstances obviously are different, but the fact remains that Colin Bower is a Massachusetts dad who had full legal custody of his sons Noor and Ramsay before they were ripped away and illegally abducted to Egypt by their mother, and we need to keep focused on the facts and stay at it until justice is done for the Bower boys and their father as well.”

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