An emotional TV appeal by WYCLEF JEAN to Haitian kidnappers secured the release of an employee of the hip-hop star, following a three-day hostage ordeal earlier this month (DEC06).
The former FUGEES star was stunned to hear newsman BIDTHLERSON BRUTUS was kidnapped at gunpoint near the Telemax studios he owns in Port-au-Prince last month (30NOV06).
The next day (01DEC06), Jean learned the captors were demanding $250,000 (£128,000) for his safe return and launched an impassioned appeal at a concert in front of a 20,000-strong audience and TV cameras.
He said, "If there are kidnappers out there, listen to me. If we don't stop kidnappings, the country can't develop." Brutus was released the following day, without any money being exchanged.
One of his captors, known simply as The Commander, said, "We freed the journalist after considering how much effort Wyclef is doing to help our sisters and brothers in the forgotten ghettos." The rapper tells the New York Daily News, "I'm just happy that Mr Brutus is home alive. I'm redoubling my efforts (in the country). Nothing is going to discourage me."