Almost simultaneously, the KLA released five elderly Serb civilians that it had taken hostage two days earlier. Yugoslav officials insisted that the two events were not linked. The KLA's taking of civilian hostages drew condemnation from Western diplomats, including the head of the KVM, William Walker, who told reporters: "... I think it was a very unwise and uncivilized thing for them to do to kidnap civilians."[30] Upon being released, the militants alleged they were mistreated and beaten while in custody and vowed to avenge the deaths of their fellow fighters.[28]