Germans Among Foreigners Kidnapped in Iran

Armed drug runners in Iran have abducted one Irish and two German tourists who were on a cycling trip in the southeast of the country, Reuters has reported. The tourists were captured last week in Sistan-Baluchestan, a mountainous province of on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan which is known for smuggling and banditry. The hostage takers are demanding €5 million ($4.1 million) for the foreigners' release. A German foreign ministry spokeswoman, Antje Leendertse, said the ministry has set up a special task force in the case. "There are indications that Germans are possibly involved. I cannot add anything else," she said. "The Foreign Ministry has set up a crisis team."