Rev. Dhiya Aziz, a Catholic priest kidnapped July 4 in northwest Syria, was released unharmed July 9, according to the Franciscan order to which he belongs.
Aziz was abducted from the town of Yacoubieh, where he serves as a parish priest. Initial reports were that he was en route to a meeting with the Emir who exercises authority in that area, which is controlled by Jabhat an-Nusra, an affiliate of al-Qaeda. The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land said Jabhat an-Nusra denied involvement and “allegedly led the police investigation in neighbouring villages which led to his liberation.”
The order said Aziz was unharmed and treated well during his abduction.