Swiss and Austrian women held captive in Niger for more than a year are freed and handed over in Benghazi

22 October 2026

Two European women held captive in Niger for more than a year have been freed and handed over to authorities in the Libyan city of Benghazi. Austrian national Eva Gretzmacher, 76, and Swiss national Claudia Abbt, 69, had been kidnapped separately in the northern Nigerien city of Agadez. The Austrian and Swiss governments confirmed the release; the circumstances were not disclosed. Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said Gretzmacher was free after more than 21 months, and Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis thanked those involved. In a video the women thanked Khalifa Haftar, military commander of eastern Libya, and his son Saddam Haftar.