14 February,2009 01:36 PM IST | | PTI
The kidnappers of an American working for the UN refugee agency in Pakistan have released a video in which the captive is shown blindfolded and seeking the world body's help for his release.
John Solecki, the head of the UNHCR office in Quetta, was kidnapped from the southwestern Pakistani city on February 2.
"It is a message for the United Nations. I am not feeling well. I am sick. I am in trouble," Solecki said, speaking slowly, in the video released on Friday.
"Please help to resolve the problem soon so I can gain my relief," the hostage, shown blindfolded, said in the video that was apparently shot with a mobile phone. Several TV news channels aired the video delivered to a local news agency in Quetta.
The kidnappers set three demands for Solecki's release the release of 141 Baloch women within 72 hours, the recovery of 6,000 'missing' Baloch nationals and the solution of the problems of Balochistan province through the UN Charter.
Gunmen kidnapped Solecki after gunning down his driver. The Baloch Liberation United Front, a hitherto unheard of organisation, claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
