Austria – Kronen Zeitung, Sept. 11, 2026
After nearly two years in the hands of terrorists, Eva Gretzmacher, a Vienna resident who was kidnapped in Niger, West Africa, is finally set to be released today, Friday. The Foreign Ministry is referring to “encouraging information.” And the hostage’s son is also full of hope: “After all this time, it’s an emotional moment for us!”
After months of uncertainty, the joyful news her family has been waiting for so long has arrived: Eva Gretzmacher is set to be released this Friday. Details regarding the 74-year-old’s handover to Austria are not yet known. “The complex and very dangerous process of her release and handover has not yet been successfully completed,” according to the Foreign Ministry.
“By Helicopter from the Border to Sabha”
“The hostage is currently on Libyan territory. She is scheduled to fly by helicopter from the border to Sabha before continuing her journey aboard a cargo plane to Benghazi…,” explains French journalist Walid Le Berbère on social media.
Son Fought for Her Release
Her son had repeatedly drawn public attention to his mother’s plight and called for greater political and diplomatic efforts: “After all this time, it’s an incredibly emotional moment for us. At the same time, we know that the process isn’t over yet. The situation in the Sahel is extremely complex and sensitive, and especially at this stage, we still need a little patience and calm. We now simply hope with all our hearts that everything can be brought to a successful conclusion and that we’ll be able to hold our mother in our arms again as soon as possible.”
