MADRAS. India: A Tamil guerrilla announced Sunday it would release Monday a 64yearold British 21 journalist it kidnapped a month ago alleging she was spying for the Government,
A statement issued in Madras said the Tamil rebels plan to turn over Penelope Eva Willis on Monday to the International Red Cross in a northeast coastal town of the Island,
“We have been informed by the International Red Cross that the Sri Lankan Government has agreed to allow the Red Cross to handle the safe release of Mrs. Penelope Eva Willis detained on suspicion of espionage Jan. 18,” said the press statement by the I am Revolutionary Organization (EROS).
The statement by its leader V. Balakumar, said a Red Cross representative, Sandra Singer, is expected to reach Colombo. the Sri Lankan capital Sunday, She and a representative of the British High Commission in Colombo will re= ach the Northern Province early Monday, he said.
“Soon after their arrival we will make necessary arrangements to release Mrs. Willis to their custody as per Red Cross norms.” the press statement said.
The statement by the rebels, who are fighting fora Tamil homeland, said the Sri Lankan Government had promised to cease military operations from dawn to night, Monday to facilitate the release.
Meanwhile, B.B.C. announced on Monday that Mrs, Willis was released by the rebels, She has denied any links with the espionage agencies and has said that she was engaged in her professional work.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 21, 1986
