A French journalist kidnapped in northern Somalia a week ago and held for ransom is expected to be released soon, but he may then be charged with traveling in the region illegally, a Somali official said Saturday, according to AP. Farah Abdi Dolshe, the deputy security minister of the semiautonomous region of Puntland, said talks aimed at rescuing cameraman Gwen Le Gouil were going well. «There are trilateral talks between Puntland authorities, the kidnappers and French diplomats currently in Puntland, we together expect him to be released soon despite a ransom demand of US$80,000 by the kidnappers,» said Dolshe. Le Gouil's kidnappers have made several demands for ransom, ranging from US$70,000 to US$1 million. Dolshe did not specify the offense Le Gouil allegedly committed, but said the journalist was traveling in violation of the law, and «we would start a law suit against him once released.» The Frenchman was abducted Dec. 16 outside the town of Bossaso in Puntland.
