NEW DELHE: In a dramatic end to a 48-day kidnapping ordeal, Romanian diplomat, Liviu Radu, returned home unharmed on Tuesday, PTI reports.
He said he had been put on a train in Punjab Monday night by his abductors.
Radu, who arrived at the New Delhi railway station at around 10 am, said he had hired a taxi and reached his Jor Bagh residence in South Delhi,. His family had been expecting his release since Sunday after militants promised to free him.
I was put on the train somewhere in Punjab at about 11 p.m. Mon day night. I guess it was between Jalandhar and Ludhiana. It was, very dark and I did not see which station it was and I travelled in a second. Lass compartment,” Radu later told reporters who mobbed him on the lawns of his residence.
While answering queries from reporters a message came for the diplomat from Romanian
President Jon Iliescu greeting Radu and his family on the release.
The president said the entire country was anxious for my release. He is very happy and greeted me,” he told waiting media persons.
Lam thankful to my family for my release”, the 53yrold be spectacled diplomat commented in response to a question if he was thankful o the government, militants or police for his release.
It was a very interesting and novel experience since my association with India, which goes back to 1959. Lam very optimistic but I felt threatened sometimes,” he said,
Security around the diplomats house and had been tightened and the media persons had to wait outside while police officials spoke to him.
Recalling the sequence of his abduction on October9, Radu said he was Kept in the capital till October 27 and was moved to Punjab in a Gypsy.
I do not know the exact locales as was often blindfolded,” he said Radu said that during his captivity in Delhi he was shifted several times from place to place.
Recalling the abduction, Radu said his car was stopped by at least six people and found four of them brandishing guns at him, asking him to follow.
My captors did not threaten me and I was treated well,” he said adding that he was not aware of any negotiations between the militants and the government agencies. “I gathered news only from newspapers”, he said.
Radu said he passed his time mostly by reading English newspapers or talking to men around him, He said he was kept in villages in Punjab adding that he was given medicines for his heart ailment. “There was no need for any doctor,” he added.
Radu said he was aware of his proposed release on Sunday “but increased security arrangements and check posts could have delayed my release”.
Do you link your kidnapping with the attack on the Indian ambassador in Bucharest in August?
I cannot say, I was selected as soft target because my country’s name appeared in the press”, he said
He said the Romanian government would give a “fair trial” to them militants involved in the attack on Indian envoy Julio Francis Riberio,
A beaming Catherina Radu told media persons that the family was overwhelmed with happiness.
We are so happy that we do not want lunch today. I think my husband has put on weight”, she added.
Replying to queries, Radu said that she was hopeful of her husband’s release but lost hope several times. She said that as soon as Radu reached home she first informed the Romanian, Embassy and then the press.
Radu said he was not carrying any message from militant’s to the Indian government. “But I know their point of view,” he said answering the question.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 29, 1991
