Three Hungarians were kidnapped in Syria on 13th August. According to the Hungarian Counter-Terrorism Centre (TEK), on Monday morning unknown gunmen stopped a vehicle in the suburbs of Damascus and kidnapped six people − three locals and three Hungarians. The latter are former policemen, who retired from the Hungarian forces several years ago. So far the kidnappers have not communicated through any channels – official or unofficial – and have yet to make any demands, either from the families or the Hungarian Embassy in Damascus.

TEK is currently investigating another kidnapping in Syria. In April, gunmen seized two Hungarians during a robbery at a company in the country’s north-eastern region. Officials are examining possible links between the two incidents, but at the moment they seem to be unrelated. The Director of TEK, János Hajdú, is providing the Prime Minister’s Office and the Government with regular updates on the subject.

Hungary continues to represent Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom in Syria on the basis of bilateral agreements.

(Prime Minister’s Office)