Photojournalist Shiraaz Mohamed, abducted two weeks ago while travelling in war-torn Syria, is alive, aid group Gift of the Givers said on Monday.
Founder Imtiaz Sooliman said his organisation’s task team in Syria was working hard to find Mohamed.
However, airstrikes and “internal discord” between certain groups disrupted investigations.
“But despite these challenges, we have received excellent co-operation through ‘connected’ people who, through their own individual research and ‘networks’ have confirmed that Shiraaz is alive [just their word on this but no proof of life], they confirm the group that is holding him [though there is discrepancy between the different members of this group], they know the location where Shiraaz is held,” Sooliman said in a statement on Monday.
He added that from the organisation’s interaction with different people, including a prominent Syrian journalist, it appeared that the information was credible.
“We can’t independently verify it as yet but we are not ignoring it. In the next 48 hours we are expecting more information, so we wait patiently. We have a very decisive plan and will use it as leverage if the need arises. But for now we want to diplomatically and amicably resolve the issue as no one really understands why Shiraaz was taken. It may be a case of mistaken identity so we are allowing a little more time for the processes to unfold in the best interests of Shiraaz.
“As an aside, we have Shiraaz’s belongings, his laptop and camera.”
There has since been no communication from the kidnappers.