Danish photographer feed after 13-month captivity in SyriaJune 20, 2014 - 15:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A Danish freelance photographer who had been held captive for 13 months in Syria has been released and has been reunited with his family, officials said Friday, June 20, according to the Associated Press. Denmark's Foreign Ministry said Daniel Rye Ottosen, 25, had been held since May 17, 2013, in Syria where he went to photograph the conflict and the civilian population's conditions. Rye Ottosen was freed Thursday and is in good condition, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ole Egberg Mikkelsen said Friday, but gave no details of where or by whom the photographer was held. He declined to comment on press reports that Rye Ottosen had been detained by members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Egberg Mikkelsen declined to say whether any ransom had been paid. "Generally speaking I can say that as government representatives, we never ever have contacts with abductors or any other criminals," he told the AP. Rye Ottosen's abduction was known to Danish media, which had refrained from reporting it for security reasons. "Our experience tells us that if there is any kind of media coverage, it can play a role and can make things more complex," Egberg Mikkelsen added. In March, Beirut-based Danish freelance television reporter Jeppe Nybroe was freed after he had been abducted a month earlier in Lebanon, near the Syrian border. Danish media also knew about that kidnapping but kept silent until Nybroe was released. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills |