Singaporean kidnapped in Egypt

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http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120616-0000067/Singaporean-kidnapped-in-Egypt-released-and-unharmed

A Singaporean tour leader volunteered to follow a group of armed men when they wanted to kidnap a few members of his tour group in Egypt's Sinai peninsula yesterday.

Mr Toh, who was leading a group of 20 Singaporean tourists, said armed men in two vehicles stopped their vehicle when they were travelling from Sinai to Cairo.

Mr Toh said the men were carrying guns.

He said when the men boarded the bus to "get some people", he volunteered to go with them as he was the leader of the group and wanted to ensure that the tourists would be safe.

He said the men tied him up and drove him to an undisclosed location.

Mr Toh said his kidnappers spoke little English.

"They just said Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! In fact, I was just following their instructions," he said.

He said he was released about eight hours later and is now at El Arish, which is on the Mediterranean coast of northern Sinai.

Reports quoted Egyptian security officials as saying that the armed gunmen are Bedouins, demanding the release of one of their tribesmen arrested for possessing drugs.

The Singapore Embassy has been working closely with the Egyptian authorities.

A member of the embassy's staff has been sent to accompany Mr Toh from El Arish to Cairo.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in view of the current situation in the Sinai peninsula, Singaporeans should avoid any overland travel to the Sinai area.