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hostages

This image obtained from the Iranian news agency IRNA on October 16, 2022, shows a fire truck in front of Evin Prison, in the northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran. (AFP)
September 18, 2023, 9:20 pm
After US prisoner swap, a dozen Westerners remain captive in Iran
Rights groups say imprisonment of Western nationals is a ploy designed by regime to extract concessions from rival powers
By Stuart Williams
The family of Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele, right, walk out to greet him on the tarmac as he disembarks from a Belgian military aircraft at Melsbroek military airport in Melsbroek, Belgium, Friday, May 26, 2023. (Didier Lebrun/Pool Photo via AP)
May 27, 2023, 12:57 am
Belgian aid worker held in Iran returns home in swap for diplomat behind bomb plot
Prisoner exchange frees Olivier Vandecasteele after 15 months in exchange for Assadollah Assadi, who handed off explosives for use at an Iranian opposition rally outside Paris
By Matthieu Demeestere
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom at the Moscow City Court, in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
April 28, 2023, 12:24 am
US sanctions Iran and Russia for hostage-taking, wrongful detention of Americans
Official says Moscow and Tehran are using US citizens ‘as political pawns’ and ‘bargaining chips’ after locking them up ‘on false pretenses’
By AFP
US special envoy to Iran Robert Malley in Vienna, Austria, June 20, 2021. (Florian Schroetter/AP)
November 14, 2022, 11:54 pm
US envoy laments lack of coordinated Western strategy on Iran ‘hostage-taking’
Robert Malley sees need for a common policy on dealing with detention of foreigners as ‘bargaining chips,’ but notes many countries handle matter with Iranians individually
By AFP
Fariba Adelkhah. (France 24 screenshot)
August 9, 2022, 6:55 pm
French academic held by Iran granted five-day reprieve from prison
Furlough comes days after world powers returned to Vienna in last-ditch effort to save Iran nuclear deal; activists see Fariba Adelkhah’s jailing as hostage diplomacy by Tehran
By AFP
This undated photo shows Baquer Namazi, left, and his son Siamak, in an unidentified location. (Babak Namazi via AP)
June 29, 2022, 11:35 pm
Detained American in Iran implores Biden to take action despite stalled talks
‘Unless the president intervenes immediately, we are likely to languish in this abyss for the foreseeable future,’ writes Siamak Namazi, Iranian-American detained since 2015
By AFP
The empty assembly hall of the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 27, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
June 28, 2022, 2:25 pm
Daily Briefing June 28: Abortion reforms pass; Knesset takes next step to elections
Carrie Keller-Lynn recaps another tumultuous day in the Knesset, Aaron Boxerman updates us on Hamas hostages, Amanda Borschel-Dan discusses a seafaring mosaic’s journey home
By ToI Staff
Barry Rosen, 77, a former US diplomat who was one of the 52 hostages held in Iran during 444 days from 1979 to 1981, speaks to AFP journalists outside the Coburg palace in Vienna, Austria, on January 14, 2022. (JOE KLAMAR / AFP)
January 25, 2022, 5:10 am
Nuclear talks spark glimmer of hope for Westerners held by Iran
Former hostages push for fate of Americans, Europeans and others detained by Tehran to be included in deal, but some caution against further complicating talks by linking issues
By Anne BEADE
Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker speaks to CBS on January 17, 2022. (Screen capture/YouTube)
January 17, 2022, 6:18 pm
Texas rabbi: I threw a chair at the gunman, and we headed for the door
Recalling ‘terrifying’ final moments of standoff, Charlie Cytron-Walker says he checked to see the other hostages with him were ready before springing into action, fleeing
By Jacob Magid
Law enforcement officials gather at Colleyville Elementary School near the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022 in Colleyville, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
January 17, 2022, 3:31 am
Texas rabbi: Hostages managed to escape as gunman became ‘increasingly belligerent’
Congregation chairman appears to downplay antisemitic motive, calling attack ‘random act of violence,’ rabbi credits security training with giving hostages awareness when to flee
By Jacob Magid
Congregation Beth Israel hostage taker, identified as 44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram. (Courtesy)
January 16, 2022, 9:41 pm
Biden calls synagogue hostage incident an ‘act of terror’ as FBI identifies attacker
Malik Faisal Akram’s family condemns his actions, apologizes to victims, says he suffered from mental health issues; president: suspect apparently got weapon ‘on the street’
By Jacob Magid
A police vehicle patrols an intersection on January 15, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas, near Congregation Beth Israel. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images via AFP)
January 16, 2022, 4:10 pm
UK government confirms Texas synagogue attacker was a British citizen
In first public comments, synagogue Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker expresses gratitude for ‘all of the vigils and prayers and love and support,’ as well as to law enforcement officers
By Jacob Magid and Amy Spiro
SWAT team members deploy near Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue during a hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas, January 15, 2022; inset, Congregation Beth Israel Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker. (Andy Jacobsohn/AFP; Congregation Beth Israel)
January 16, 2022, 11:57 am
‘Calm, collected’ synagogue rabbi wowed FBI through 11-hour Texas hostage crisis
Dallas police chaplain says law enforcement impressed by Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker’s composure during Colleyville attack, notes how faith leaders immediately sprang into action
By Jacob Magid
SWAT team members deploy near Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue during a hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas, January 15, 2022. (Andy Jacobsohn/AFP)
January 16, 2022, 6:26 am
All hostages released from Texas synagogue after 10-hour standoff
Attacker dies during rescue op after gunshots heard; hostages seen running from building: FBI: He ‘focused on one issue’ – apparently seeking release of ‘Lady Al-Qaeda’ convict
By Jacob Magid and Agencies
Flames and smoke billowing after an Israeli airstrike on the city of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on May 19, 2021. (Abed Rahim Khatib/FLASH90)
May 20, 2021, 1:33 pm
Daily Briefing May 20 – 2 steps forward to Israel-Hamas ceasefire, 2 steps back
Tune in Sunday through Thursday to hear ToI editors and reporters quickly catch you up on what’s important today
By ToI Staff
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