Authorities confirmed that a ransom was paid and that an AQIM operative responsible for kidnapping the Spanish aid workers was released in exchange for freeing the two Spanish nationals. Details of the ransom reveal that over $5.6 million was paid to AQIM over the last few months. AQIM stated that the hostages “were set free in return for responding to some of our demands.” The aid workers were held in captivity for 268 days.
