Tue, 14 May, 2013 12:32:31 AM FTimes News Desk, May 14
 An Austrian student Dominik Neubauer (R) and a Finnish couple Leila (left) and Atte Kaleva abducted in Yemen by Al-Qaeda militants talk to local media on May 9, 2013 at the airport of the Omani capital Muscat after they were handed over to Omani authorities following their release. The three Europeans, seized in Sanaa on December 21, were freed by local tribesmen on the border with Oman overnight, an Yemeni official said. Photo - AFP/Lehtikuva The abducted Finnish couple and their Austrian friend were freed in exchange of a ransom of USD 50 million (about EUR 38.5 million), An Austrian newspaper reported on Monday.
The Finnish couple, Leila and Atte Kaleva and their Austrian friend Dominik Neubauer, who were abducted by al-Qaeda fighters from Yemen’s capital Sana'a on December 21 last year, were released on May 8 in the Yemen-Oman border area.
The Austrian Independent, an online English newspaper, referring to Yemen newspapers said that the Oman authority had paid 16 million dollars of ransom to make the abducted Austrian free.
‘Four million dollars were paid to tribal leaders who worked as intermediaries,’ said the report, adding that a total of 50 million dollar was paid as ransom for all the three hostages.
The Austrian Independent quoting diplomatic circles reported that there were discrepancies between the Austrian and the Finnish negotiating team.
The Finnish were apparently not very active in the attempt of liberating the hostages.
Meanwhile, a debate is underway to settle whether the Austrian national Dominik needs to contribute to the ransom amount paid for his release, as the amount is so high.
The Foreign minister of the country, Michael Spindelegger also said that the authorities would examine whether they can charge him anything as high costs were involved, said the news report.
According to the state law, the government have the option for charging compensation from the victim up to EUR 50,000, only in case of negligence of the victim leading to danger.
The Finland Foreign Minister, Erkki Tuomioja, however, rejected outright the report of paying ransom to the abductors.
‘Finland did not pay any ransom to the abductors as financing terrorists is clearly forbidden under the international rules,’ Tuomioja told a press conference on May 9.
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