Blogger Zhuravlyov seized by militants in Syria 3 years ago brought back to Russia - FSB
MOSCOW. Oct 14 (Interfax) - A Russian citizen forcibly held by members of the armed units in Syria over the past three years has been returned to the homeland and handed over to his relatives, the Federal Security Service (FSB) press service told Interfax on Friday.
"Russian citizen Konstantin Vladimirovich Zhuravlyov, who was born in 1981 and has been seized by an armed unit in northern Syria in October 2013, while travelling around the world, and held by force over the past three years, has been returned to Russia," an officer of the press service said.
After the required procedural actions involving Zhuravlyov have been conducted by the Russian Federal Security Service, he has been handed over to his relatives, he said.
Zhuravlyov met with his relatives on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry website said on Friday. "We are grateful to all who facilitated Zhuravlyov's release, the Russian Foreign Ministry continues to give priority attention to the protection of legal rights and interests of Russian citizens abroad," the ministry said.
The Russian diplomats have kept in contact with the Syrian government, opposition groups, as well as the 'external sides' over the past few years in order to obtain the release of Russian national and traveler Zhuravlyov, who had been captured in Syria.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has joined the efforts to free missing Zhuravlyov after requests from his relatives. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Zhuravlyov had left Syria, informing no one about this and having no visa. Zhuravlyov did not go on the consular register in Damascus, and the Russian diplomats knew nothing about his location in Syria.
Tomsk blogger Zhuravlyov, who is known for his journeys on foot in various countries and an extravagant appearance, has been seized by the militants in Syria in October 2013. The Russian has hitch hiked from Turkey via the Syrian territory to Sahara. He disappeared in Syria and, as it was found out later, he was seized by the militants of Islamist group Liva at-Tauhid, who accused him of espionage for Damascus.
