The hostage drama in the Sahara, part 2

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The hostage drama in the Sahara, part 2
Map: MOTORCYCLE

to travel

The hostage drama in the Sahara, part 2

The hostage drama in the Sahara, part 2
The wait

In the second part of the diary of the 177-day kidnapping by the Mujahideen, Rainer Bracht describes the liberation of the first hostages and the subsequent grueling escape through the Algerian desert. Meanwhile, his wife Petra follows the German government’s increasingly complex rescue attempts. And both try to get through the months of fear and waiting. He in Algeria, she in Detmold.

Annette Johann

11/19/2003

Rainer: We have been sitting in the rock holes of the Tamelrik Mountains for almost three months now, and nothing is moving. The search helicopters haven’t come for a long time, food is becoming scarcer and doing nothing more and more depressing. We just doze off. The constitution in our group is different. I am, by nature, rather patient, doing quite well, others are quite troubled by our imprisonment. Some are depressed. The heat is getting more and more extreme. It’s almost May, and summer is about to begin. Some time ago, the head of the kidnappers disappeared with a second group of hostages and is only in contact by radio. Petra: The matter has now reached the highest levels. Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and Federal Interior Minister Otto Schily were in Algiers, Federal Prosecutor Kay Nehm has initiated an investigation against an unknown terrorist organization, GSG 9 is on standby in Algiers as well as officials from the BKA and Interpol. Nobody would have expected anything like this! One suspects enormous logistics behind it all. 31 people and their vehicles have now disappeared. 15 Germans, ten Austrians, four Swiss, one Swede and one Dutchman. And it is not so easy to hide and take care of them in the Sahara. It is now believed that the disappeared are alive. But there is still no letter of confession. Rainer: On May 13, 2003, a radio message and a radio message sent our guards into euphoria: The other 17 hostages would be free. They congratulate us, in three to four days it will certainly all be over for us too. Our group is in high spirits. Only Martin and I remain skeptical. We believe that only when the mudjas disappear on the horizon without us are we really free. We must now quickly vacate the hiding place and join the rest of the troops. After four days of wild skiing, we meet the emir (commandant) in Erg Issouane, north of the graves’ slope. What we learn is disillusioning: It was not negotiations that redeemed our fellow sufferers, but the Algerian military. The hostages were unharmed, but some of the mudjas were killed. Now it’s getting dangerous, the kidnappers are now on the run. They are looking for a new hiding place across several pick-ups. Petra: In the meantime, the police in Germany are also taking care of the matter. They come by twice a week and are very touching. Everything will be better with them. I finally have a contact person. The previously responsible Foreign Office voluntarily did not add a syllable. The officers also help me sort out such mundane things as Rainer’s work situation, health and pension insurance. The absenteeism is getting longer and longer, and besides, nobody knows in what condition he comes back … Thank God Rainer’s employer is extremely fair.Rainer: After a few days we find a small and steep dune basin that can only be seen from the air . The Mudjas order food and spare parts by radio, which a little later ?? probably from members of the support scene? to be brought. The kidnappers are well organized. On the way here, we passed fuel and food depots. We stay five days to repair the run-down and accidentally battered cars. Since Arabs only screw when something is really broken, breakdowns occur regularly. We help to pass the time. If a borehole is missing somewhere, it is simply shot into it with a Kalashnikov. The heat is bad. We only have a tarpaulin attached to the side of one of the Toyotas, under which we crouch like oil sardines. The water is transported in 200 liter barrels that previously contained fuel, oil or chemicals, which does not always have a positive effect on the taste. One of the women arrested asks whether you can drink it, because it is harmful to your health. Leave it, I answer her, then you will die of thirst tomorrow, or drink it, then maybe in 30 years you will get cancer. Petra: We have an appointment with the Foreign Office! I don’t expect too much from it. Nevertheless, I prepare myself as best I can for the day. We learn that the cooperation with the Algerians is going well, everyone is doing their best. But it takes a lot of tact not to bite on granite. Even if we had trained hostage rescue teams like the GSG 9. I am the only one of the family members who has ever been to Algeria and who can reasonably imagine working with African authorities. Rainer: Finally we set off, drive northwest through the Erg, cross the grave road again and pass the dunes of the Erg Tifernine in the north. From there it goes over the slope from Bordj Omar Driss to Amguid, towards Arak. Sometimes we are on the road for 36 hours without a break, during the day in the now mercilessly blazing sun. The pace is grueling, and often we can barely cling to the open shop space. The pick-ups roll over several times, but miraculously nobody is seriously injured. It gets really bad when the mudjas see gazelles. Gazelle meat tastes wonderful, like deer. With up to 100 km / h even otherwise level-headed drivers race with us through the area, fire wildly until the animal is killed.Petra: The press has now finally picked up the weather and stationed reporters in Illizi. Since they hardly get any information, increasingly brazen speculations are circulating. I can put it away with general things. But when total strangers tell some nonsense about Rainer in local broadcasters and newspapers, my nerves sometimes run out of steam. On May 16, 2003 we will be invited again to Berlin. The atmosphere is more relaxed than last time. I’m starting to trust that everything possible will be done to get our people out of there. In the evening I write a letter to the Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, thank him for the cooperation with Germany, and express my trust and hope in him. Maybe it helps. Another German is now missing. Klaus Bockelmann, archaeologist. I try to persevere with Arab calm. Strangely, I am convinced that the hostages will not be mistreated. Past kidnappings like in Yemen have shown that. I know Rainer is alive and strong in crisis situations. That makes me strong too! He is with me every second, we are one. Rainer: After a few days we reach a water point in the Mouydir Mountains, north of Arak. But there is camel droppings all around, the water is contaminated with urine. Hassan, the oldest at 72, assures us that the Koran says that camel urine is healthy … Maybe to rub warts, but to drink? Two days later we walk an hour to three beautiful lakes. We call this place paradise where we will stay for three weeks. There is no end of water, we can even bathe. We are also out of sight of the mudjas and are allowed to move freely. We only get together for meals, after more than three months we finally find something like privacy. How much we longed for it! Everyone dozes in some corner, up to 16 hours a day. However, there are poisonous horn vipers. Their tracks can sometimes be seen 20 to 30 centimeters from the head of the sleeping bag in the morning. We’ll kill nine in three weeks. But since we are not on the menu of the vipers, there is only danger if you step on or hit one. But presumably it doesn’t affect us too much anyway. Petra: On May 13, 2003 at 9 p.m. the Bielefeld police station suddenly called in. A hostage was released in Algeria. But not all are free. Could they still come over? Of course. Keep Calm! It doesn’t feel like Rainer is there. They confirm it when they arrive. There were two groups and one was liberated from the military. All the hostages are alive. An officer is staying here. Nobody knows what will happen in the next few hours. From now on there is a message blackout ?? no information, not even to next of kin. The next morning it was the top report on the radio, the liberated Austrian ex-hostages euphorically texted it into the microphones at the airport that everyone was free. Unfortunately only all Austrians. The phone is ringing hot? I have to reject endless calls and congratulations, no, Rainer is not there. Despite the news blackout, I am now informing the next of kin. Rainer: The mudjas were shopping. In addition to clothing and food, they bring a large bottle of perfume for each of the women. Touching! When it comes to western clothes, we suspect that it is the »legacy« of the hostages who were freed. A camel is hunted down, which significantly improves the supply situation. Only our vegetarian feels weak because he refuses even pasta and rice cooked with the meat. Difficult to understand principles. As an avowed hater of carrots, I would now also eat carrots. Petra: 5/15/03. The expedition leader Gerhard Wintersteller sells the terrible experiences of the ten Austrian hostages under the scorching desert sun exclusively to the Austrian Kronenzeitung, Michaela Joubert and Andreas Kiehlechner also report on the weeks in the hands of the Mudjahedin and their happy liberation. It’s hard to bear. On May 16 we will be invited again to the Foreign Office. The relatives of the freed hostages are no longer coming. Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer reports on his last visit to Algiers and on a long conversation with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Once again they emphasize the cautiousness with which one has to negotiate. The following Sunday I write to Bouteflika again, but also to Joschka Fischer, Gerhard Schroder and Otto Schily. I am now convinced that everything possible will be done to bring the remaining hostages back unharmed. Wait, wait again. I clench my teeth. I can do the rest, for sure. I have to stay strong! Rainer will need me when he comes back. In the evening I ask the police to talk to Rainer’s parents. I think they don’t trust me anymore. The police can calm them down a bit. Rainer: On June 25th, 2003 our guards shoot a video film and, with our help, write a letter of confession. Addressed to the Swiss and German embassies. Arjen gets nothing because his Dutch representative is not in the travel guide. When we read that the emir is asking for 45 million euros for us, we are appalled. His confidants reassure us. On the one hand, three million per person would be manageable, on the other hand that is only the basis for negotiation. Originally he wanted to extort 150 million and the release of GSPC members from Algerian custody. They would have dissuaded him from that. We also have the opportunity to write a private letter. Sybille translates mine into French so that it can be checked. I report that we have no worries because our “tour guide” will take care of everything. Even the weather is good, nobody has to freeze. With such stupid jokes, Petra will notice that I am alive and well. Petra: On Monday, May 19, 2003, chaos will break out again! The remaining hostages would be on their way home, trumpets from all channels. The phone does not stand still. But again it’s not true. An unconfirmed report that many got carried away with. Even Claudia Roth announced that the four Augsburgers were on their way home. It’s your constituency. The children were already decorating the apartment. A day later we can see the Bleckmann family on ARD on »Beckmann«. On May 21 The Rupping family on ZDF with »Johannes B. Kerner«. The next day there is a severe earthquake near Algiers. But I’m sure the abductees are far enough away. On Friday, May 23rd, it will be 90 days! I am overcome by a tiredness that cannot be described. The moment when we can hug each other again will come. And belong only to us. Our 19th wedding anniversary! Somehow I grab that too. Friends send love letters. Rainer: When the letter of confession is written and our belongings are stowed in the cars, the tires are quickly patched, then we set off. We race south-west in up to 48-hour marathon stages. To Mali, as we suspect. The water supplies are replenished along the way. In a former French nuclear test site. No problem, the Emir’s secretary claims that radioactivity can be washed off. Petra: Gerhard Schroder, Joschka Fischer and Otto Schily have meanwhile written back. I have read Mr. Schily’s letter several times. He is very personal and helps me a lot. In the meantime it will be Pentecost. With the Africa Festival in Libberg, which we have been going to for many years. Since I can’t leave, I ask you to read a message. Likewise at the Sahara Club and the »DaRR« meeting. There they even want to put a minute of silence for the hostages. I cannot put into words how happy I am! Thank you that there are people like you! My second hip operation is coming soon. I am afraid that I will not be there at the crucial moment and have to force myself not to cancel the operation. Today is the 113th day since we last spoke. We haven’t seen each other for four and a half months. Back then there was snow. He didn’t see the almond tree that Rainer likes so much in bloom. We are now harvesting the cherries. Rainer: Summer has arrived in the Sahara and the heat is getting worse and worse. Often there is easily 50 degrees in the shade. Which is rarely found. The kidnappers chase through the southern Algerian desert with us in the open shops. Since the water points are far apart, they ration the water. Sometimes to two liters a day. I divide it up, one sip every hour that you chew and keep in your mouth for a long time. It’s cruel. Petra: I have to go to the hospital on June 17th, 2003. A difficult way. I explain the situation I am in and I am shielded as best I can. The operation is going smoothly and I am recovering surprisingly quickly. One problem less! On the last day, I treat myself to a visit to the hairdresser. It is wonderful. After a good two weeks I’m back home with crutches. Everyday life becomes more arduous. I learn that a relative now wants to take the initiative himself, with an Austrian expedition professional and without the police. I hold my breath, people don’t know this country. Martin and Arjen’s parents carefully dissuade him from doing so. It has to end well and it will end well, everything humanly possible is being done ?? I do not allow any other thought. And I’m convinced, neither is Rainer. Rainer: June 29th, 2003 is one of those unbearably hot days. I am constantly overwhelmed by obsessions about cold drinks? Beer, water, milkshakes. In the afternoon we rested, widely scattered, in the sparse shade of acacias and tamarisks. Suddenly someone hears a scream. Sascha, a paramedic by profession, finds Michaela already in a coma. Together with Abd el Aziz, the cook and medic, they give her a bag of saline infusion. There is nothing more. It would have taken two to three liters to save them. After an hour she dies without regaining consciousness. We bury them in the lights of the Iveco at night. It’s terrible. The mudjas are also affected. Even completely exhausted, it occurs to me for the first time that our abduction could come to a bad end. Not through acts of violence by the fundamentalists, but I don’t know how much longer we can withstand the heat and the inhumane driving. It is not death that frightens me, Michaela died peacefully and without pain, but the feeling of not being allowed to leave Petra alone. I feel that she needs me and is waiting for me. It is very stressful for me that I could not help her during her operation. The next day we reach a water point. So we would have had enough supplies to prevent Michaela’s death. Sascha can’t get over it for a long time. Petra: Letters have arrived in Berlin! The abductees report that they are fine and that they are being treated well. I am infinitely happy to order Rainer new shoes. On July 26th the police tell me there was a call. With Esther, Christian Grunes friend: everyone is healthy, one reported in French. Not more. But it is enough. The police are preparing for further calls. The 155th day. I have completely withdrawn. Think of experiences that Rainer and I had in common. Also funny that I have to laugh again. Presumably they tell each other stories in the desert as well. Three days later, on July 29, 2003, the police reappeared. Michaela Spitzer is dead. Apparently she died of heat stroke a long time ago. I was offended. The rumor of a death had been around for a while. Christian Schuster, the son of the older Augsburg couple, is almost crazy about it. I kept saying, I don’t believe it without confirmation. Now it is there. I find it hard to get over it. Once again I call the family together for the Friday crisis table. I would love to scream so loud that you can hear it as far as the Sahara: Stop it! It’s enough, comes to an end! Rainer: We’re racing on towards Mali. The kidnappers hope to be able to negotiate better there, the government is more cooperative. On the radio comes the message that the Algerian military is keeping a corridor open to allow our passage to the neighboring country. Somebody caught a glimpse of a GPS ?? we are 35 kilometers south of Timiaouine. We made it, we are in Malian territory. First part in MOTORRAD 23/2003, third and last part in MOTORRAD 26/2003.

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