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May 28, 2009, 13:37 GMT

Hostages have to pay for their release, German court rules

Leipzig, Germany - Germans abducted abroad have to pay towards the costs of obtaining their release, the country's Federal Administrative Court ruled on Thursday. The case was brought by physiotherapist Reinhilt Weigel, 36, who was held captive for 10 weeks by left-wing rebels in South America. The German Foreign Ministry sent her a bill for 12,640 euros (17,440 dollars) for the helicopter flight that was used to whisk her to safety from the jungle of northern Colombia in September 2003. One of the demands of the kidnappers was that a helicopter be used to evacuate the woman, who was among a group of eight tourists seized by the National Liberation Army while on a trekking holiday. The court ruled that German laws governing consular matters contained provisions for seeking a reimbursement of expenses incurred in such cases. Weigel said she was disappointed at the ruling. 'I work, I earn money, but I'm not rich,' she said, adding she did not know how she was going to pay back the government. 'My life is ruined for the coming years,' said the former hostage, who now lives in France and can only work part-time because of back problems resulting from her time in captivity.

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