Ankhar Kochneva escapes from Syrian captivity

The Ukrainian journalist Ankhar Kochneva, who was kidnapped by
Syrian militants in October 2012 has escaped from her kidnappers,
her ex-husband Dmitry Petrov reported today.

The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine and the Embassy in Syria refused to
comment on the possible escape of the Ukrainian journalist, RIA
Novosti reports.

According to Dmitry Petrov, Kochneva has managed with help to reach
territories controlled by the government.

Ankhara Kochneva arrived in Syria at the beginning of the armed
conflict, she was working as a freelance reporter. She openly supported
Assad's regime and criticized the opposition. She was abducted in
October 2012. Her kidnappers demanded a payment of 50,000 dollars for her
release.