Haitian gang asking for $17M for kidnapped US missionaries: report

WASHINGTON

The gang that kidnapped a group of American and Canadian Christian missionaries in Haiti last weekend is demanding a $17 million ransom, according to a report.

The Wall Street Journal, citing Haitian Justice Minister Liszt Quitel, reported Monday that $1 million is being asked per person in the group.

Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries confirmed Sunday the kidnapping of 17 missionaries by a Haitian gang while they were visiting an orphanage Saturday. The group includes 16 US citizens and one Canadian national. Five are children.

Haitian officials identified the group responsibly for the abductions as the 400 Mawozo gang, which is based in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The White House confirmed on Monday that the FBI is actively working to rescue the missionaries.

"We are trying to get them released without paying any ransom,” Quitel told the Journal and said when the ransom is paid, "the money is going to be used for more guns and more munitions."

Quitel said the same group abducted a group of Catholic priests and nuns in April and authorities are seeking a similar outcome to what followed that abduction.

The group freed five priests, two nuns and three of their relatives at the end of the month and ransom was paid for two priests, said Quitel.

"That would be the best outcome," he said.