Abu Sayyaf frees Norwegian hostage to rebel group
Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf has released Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad for a ransom payment of $638,000 after holding him captive for nearly a year in the Philippines. The hostage has been handed over to Muslim rebel group Moro National Liberation Front, which is in peace talks with the Philippine government and was working with authorities to secure Sekkingstad’s release.