Kenneth Elliott, from the city of Perth on Australia’s west coast, is said to be doing well and has been reunited with his wife Jocelyn and their children, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement.
Elliott and his wife were kidnapped by jihadists with al-Qaeda links in January 2016 in northern Burkina Faso, where the couple ran a medical clinic. Jocelyn Elliott was released a month later.
The family expresses gratitude
Wong said the Australian government and the Elliott family have worked tirelessly to secure Kenneth Elliott’s release. She did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding his release.
“We express our relief that Dr Elliott is free and thank the Australian Government and all who have been involved in the meantime to secure his release,” the family said in a statement.