I saw this yesterday and it is unnerving. People tend to shrug it off and think that this would never happen to THEM. If you go to these areas, or near these areas, then you ARE at risk!!
But this guy knew it could happen to him because he was already once held for ransom in Somalia. The world is such a huge place with so many awesome places to be visited....why waste your time going anywhere near sh*t holes like Somalia and Jolo? Don't win yourself a Darwin Award.
That is what I had read, too. He had said he knew it was dangerous but that he wasn't going to stop going in these areas. He was basically on a suicide mission....well, mission accomplished!! Unfortunately for him, he got what he asked for.
Yes, this is the second time for this man... doesn't ;earm The part I find interesting is that after he made the choice to ignore travel warning, that he want the German Government and his family to pay his ransom... so he could visit more dangerous places?
Did the article say he was wanting anyone to pay for the ransom or was that just what Abu Sayyaf was doing/forcing him to say? Once they find out what country you are from and who you are related to they will force you to call and ask for ransom....unless you are completely prepared for death and tell them to "f*ck off" when they make that demand of you. Then again, there are worse things than death and it wouldn't take too much to convince me to say pretty much whatever they wanted. How many body parts would they have to cut off before you started to agree to say whatever they wanted?
