From captivity to Benghazi
The women reached eastern Libya on October 21, according to an October 22 analysis by the Polish Institute of International Affairs. Gretzmacher had been abducted in January 2025 and Abbt in April 2025. Earlier indications that release might be approaching had circulated in September; the transfer to Benghazi was therefore an important subsequent development. (pism.pl)
BBC reporting carried by Kenya’s The Star described footage broadcast by Libya’s al-Masar television showing the women receiving medical attention. In the footage, they thanked eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar and his son Saddam Haftar. Their expressions of thanks do not independently establish the full negotiating process. (the-star.co.ke)
Release conditions remain opaque
Some reporting linked the kidnappings to Islamic State militants, but the identities of all captors, their demands and any payment were not publicly established in the accounts reviewed. No ransom figure should be treated as confirmed. (the-star.co.ke)
Later October 22 reporting said the women had been flown onward to their home countries. Earlier reports that day had described those flights as planned, illustrating the distinction between initial release reporting and subsequent repatriation updates. (heute.at)