DUSHANBE - Islamic rebels holding Russian and western hostages in a remote mountain stronghold in Tajikistan freed five of their captives yesterday but kept the last six, whose fate will be negotiated today.
Mr Zafar Saidov, spokesman for the Tajik president, confirmed that the released hostages had reached the government checkpoint at the village of Obigarm, 80 km of the east of the capital Dushanbe.
The freed hostages are a Swiss military observer working with the UN, two Russian television reporters, a Tajik interpreter and an employee of the UN refugee agency. Mr Saidov also said President Imomali Rakmonov would fly to Obigarm this morning and start talks with the hostage takers led by two brothers, Bakhrom and Rizvon Sadirov, over the release of the last six hostages.
