11.   Earlier, military officials had said the kidnappers released the men voluntarily.

12.   Earlier this week, the kidnappers released a photo showing the hostages with their hands bound by a rope.

13.   He called on the kidnappers to release Pearl.

14.   In Manila, Richard Szal, acting U.N. resident coordinator, appealed to the kidnappers to release the captives unharmed.

15.   In Srinagar, four wives of the hostages held hands and sobbed Thursday morning, appealing to the kidnappers to release their loved ones.

16.   Kidnappers released American landowner Howard Turner and his chauffeur after a hefty ransom was paid, the daily Siglo Veintiuno reported Friday.

17.   Kidnappers release businessman held hostage for four months,

18.   Kidnappers release one of their hostages.

19.   Kidnappers released the son of a prominent businessman on Sunday, six days after he was abducted during a violent attack that claimed the life of his father.

20.   Kidnappers released a Brazilian pop singer Sunday after realizing they had seized the wrong person, police said.