Kochi: Abducted Christian priest Fr Tom Uzhunnalil is reported to have been freed by radical Islamic group who kidnapped him in Yemen.

The release was facilitated by the Oman government.

This was reported​ in the media in Oman while External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has tweeted confirming priest’s release.

A native of Ramapuram in Kottayam, Fr Tom was abducted on March 4, 2016, by Islamic terrorists who killed 16, including one Indian nun, while storming the old age home run by Missionaries of Charity at Yemen.

Since then there was no news of the priest until last December when he sent a video message expressing anguish over the Church and Indian government not taking any efforts to rescue him.