Three Europeans freed by kidnappers last week after a month in captivity in Bangladesh left for their homes today.
Danes Mr Torben Mikkelsen and Mr Nils Hulgaard and Briton Mr Tim Selby were abducted at gunpoint on February 16th at Guniapara 250 miles from Dhaka.
Bangladesh authorities handed them formally over to their respective embassies yesterday after they had been released from Dhaka's Combined Military Hospital where they underwent medical checks up for two days.
The kidnappers had asked for a ransom of 90 million taka ($1.6 million). Bangladeshi authorities said they did not pay any ransom but offered safe passage to the kidnappers after the hostages had been freed.
The authorities have not identified the kidnappers.
But Mr Mikkelsen told a news conference: "The kidnappers were activists of United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF). I did not find any political motive. The kidnappers were only interested in having ransom."
The UPDF is a hardline tribal group opposed to a 1997 peace treaty between the government and the Shanti Bahini, which fought a 25-year guerrilla war seeking greater autonomy for the 5,500-square mile Chittagong Hill Tracts which border India and Burma.