Benghazi:Vienna An Austrian woman and a Swiss woman, who were abducted separately in Niger in 2025, have been released, as confirmed by their respective governments on Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Eva Gretzmacher from Austria and Claudia Abbt from Switzerland arrived in Benghazi, Libya, on Wednesday. Gretzmacher was kidnapped from her home in Agadez, northern Niger, on January 11, 2025, while Abbt was abducted in the same city in April of that year.

Austria's Foreign Ministry announced that Gretzmacher was received by an Austrian crisis response team on Thursday. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger expressed relief over her release, highlighting the successful diplomatic efforts that spanned over 21 months. She mentioned that Austria worked closely with regional, European, and international partners to secure Gretzmacher's freedom.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry also confirmed that federal officials met Abbt in Benghazi, where she received medical care. The ministry stated that Abbt is doing well under the circumstances and is on her way back to Switzerland.

A report by Air Info indicated that a plane was scheduled to depart from Benghazi on Thursday, with plans to stop in Vienna to hand over Gretzmacher to Austrian authorities before proceeding to Switzerland with Abbt. The details surrounding their release have not been disclosed. Some reports suggested that Saddam Haftar, son of Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, may have been involved in securing their release, though this has not been officially confirmed.

Following Abbt's abduction, the Swiss Foreign Ministry reiterated its warning against all travel to Niger, citing the country's tense security situation and the high risk of abduction.