Austrian, Swiss Women Freed After More Than 21 Months in Captivity in Niger

An Austrian aid worker and a Swiss woman have been freed after spending more than 18 months in captivity following separate abductions in northern Niger, with both women arriving in Benghazi, eastern Libya, before arrangements were made for their return home.

The release was reported on Wednesday, October 21, and confirmed by Austrian and Swiss authorities on Thursday. The Austrian woman, identified in reports as Eva Gretzmacher, was received by an Austrian crisis team, while Swiss authorities confirmed that their citizen had also regained her freedom. Reuters reported that both women had reached Benghazi and were expected to be handed over to officials from their respective countries after the necessary formalities.

Gretzmacher, an aid worker who had lived in Niger for many years, was abducted from her home in Agadez on January 11, 2025. The Swiss woman, identified by Swiss media as Claudia Abbt, was kidnapped in the same city in April 2025.

Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger expressed relief at Gretzmacher’s release, describing the period of captivity as an unimaginable burden for the woman and her family. She said Austria had worked with Switzerland to find a safe solution.

Swiss authorities also confirmed the release of their citizen. According to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, she received medical care in Benghazi and was doing well under the circumstances as arrangements were made for her journey home.

The circumstances surrounding the women’s release and the identities of those responsible for their abductions have not been fully established by official accounts. However, reports from Libyan broadcaster al-Masar and other regional media credited mediation efforts involving Saddam Haftar, a senior figure in eastern Libya. The precise role played by the reported intermediaries has not been independently confirmed by the Austrian and Swiss governments.

The abductions occurred in Agadez, a city in northern Niger near the Sahara Desert that has faced growing security concerns. Both women had lived and worked in the country for years, contributing to local communities through development and community-based activities.

Niger has struggled with armed violence and kidnappings linked to extremist groups operating across the Sahel, including factions affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The country’s security challenges have continued since the military seized power in a 2023 coup.

The women’s release brings relief to their families after a prolonged period of uncertainty. Their cases also highlight the risks faced by foreign residents and aid workers in parts of the Sahel, where abductions have become a major security concern.

While the release marks a significant development, authorities have not publicly provided a full account of the negotiations or the conditions that led to the women’s freedom.