Geneva, 13 August 2002 — The international humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) confirms today that Arjan Erkel, a Dutch national working as Head of Mission for the organization since February 2002 in Makhachkala, the Russian Republic of Dagestan, was abducted yesterday evening.
The kidnapping occurred in Makhachkala at around 10 pm. On his way home, the MSF car was intercepted by a local vehicle with three men on board - two of them being armed - and Arjan was abducted and pushed into another car.
MSF is extremely concerned about this incident and demands the immediate release of Arjan in good condition.
