DAMASCUS,(ST)_ The Syrian competent authorities freed Austrian lawyer Anton Sanrdr from the hands of terrorist groups in al-Waer neighborhood in Homs four months after his kidnap.
Sanrdr who arrived in the city of Homs on August 24th, 2013, said in a statement to SANA yesterday that, upon his arrival in Homs life was normal, but after the entry of terrorists, they turned life into hell, adding that he was harassed and semi- house arrested by terrorists before he was kidnapped on November 1st, 2013.
He added, he was subjected to severe beatings and torture at the hands of the kidnapping terrorists, who masked his head to prevent him from vision, stole his money, and demanded a ransom for his release.
He continued he heard the sounds of torture and humiliation of the people who were abducted by these terrorists noting that ” following the escape from his captors, he could leave the neighborhood,only with the help of the Syrian competent authorities and in coordination with the Austrian Embassy in Damascus, and then he was enabled to reach the nearest point for the Syrian army, ” pointing out that the army treated him with respect, gave him the necessary care and locked him in a safe place out of the reach of terrorists.
He went on that he felt overjoyed after its liberation, considering that this day marks the beginning of a new life, describing the terrorist hijackers as bandits, thieves and mercenaries who have nothing to do with any reform or social demands, but their goal is stealing and looting of citizens and compromising their lives for money.
He pointed to the state of chaos,devastation and panic experienced by al-Waer district is due to criminal acts of the armed terrorist groups, saying that ” the terrorists had treated him badly in terms of food and drink and the proper place.”
He said he had visited Syria frequently and it was a true paradise, stating, that after the ill-treatment by the terrorists,” I say to countries that support terrorists in Syria with money and weapons ” your help for these terrorists does not only destroy Syria but all human societies.” He explain that his visit to Syria at the time was to see friends in the city of Homs and that he had arrived in Syria through Lebanon, via legal border crossings.
Sanrdr expressed thanks to the Syrian state for saving his life, wishing the Syrian army to expel the terrorists and establish security and stability so as Syria to return a haven for visitors and tourists.
T. Fateh