FIVE Polish tourists held hostage by Yemeni tribesmen since last week were released by their abductors yesterday.
"The hostages were released a few hours ago... They are on their way to Sanaa accompanied by security forces," an official said.
He declined to comment on reports earlier yesterday that Yemen had assured the kidnappers they would not be prosecuted for the kidnapping or for attacking security forces.
On Friday of last week the tribesmen fired rocket propelled grenades at military forces who had surrounded them, killing three soldiers and wounding five.
The tourists - three men and two women between the ages of 50 and 64 - were kidnapped on their way to archaeological sites in western Yemen. It was the second abduction of European holidaymakers within a month.