24 Apr 2013

Kidnapped bishops now freed

9:55 am on 24 April 2013

Two bishops who were abducted by gunmen in northern Syria on Monday have been released.

Greek Orthodox archbishop Paul Yazigi and Syriac Orthodox archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim are now in Aleppo.

State media reported they were seized by rebels, but the opposition accused the regime of being behind their abduction.

Kidnappings have become increasingly prevalent in Syria.

Christians have remained largely neutral or supportive of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad since the outbreak of the uprising.