Libya has extradited a wanted Islamic militant linked to last year's kidnapping of 32 European tourists to his native Algeria.
Algeria's interior ministry said Libya transferred Amar Saifi Wednesday. He is believed to be a top leader of the al Qaeda linked Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), which has battled the Algerian government to establish an Islamic state.
He also accused of organizing the kidnapping of 32 mainly German tourists in the Algerian Sahara in 2003. One of the tourists died during the ordeal and German authorities reportedly paid more than $6 million to secure the hostages' release.
The militant also known as 'El Para' is believed to have used the ransom money to buy arms and recruit followers in northern Africa.
Some information for this story provided by AFP and Reuters.
Algeria's interior ministry said Libya transferred Amar Saifi Wednesday. He is believed to be a top leader of the al Qaeda linked Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), which has battled the Algerian government to establish an Islamic state.
He also accused of organizing the kidnapping of 32 mainly German tourists in the Algerian Sahara in 2003. One of the tourists died during the ordeal and German authorities reportedly paid more than $6 million to secure the hostages' release.
The militant also known as 'El Para' is believed to have used the ransom money to buy arms and recruit followers in northern Africa.
Some information for this story provided by AFP and Reuters.
