South Sudan whistleblower freed after Kenya abduction

South Sudanese whistleblower Athorbey Al-Gaddhaffy-Dit has been released after being abducted in Kenya and held in Juba for almost two months, his family said Monday.

Al-Gaddhaffy-Dit, 51, also holds Kenyan citizenship and was living in Nairobi. A representative told AFP in June that he had repeatedly warned his life was in danger because he was exposing corruption linked to South Sudan's ruling elite.

His wife received information from police that he was abducted at gunpoint by masked men as he left a casino in Nairobi two months ago.

“We are very happy that Gaddhaffy has been returned to us after being abducted from Kenya and held in detention in Juba for almost two months,” the family said in a statement.

The family said Al-Gaddhaffy-Dit was released on August 8 after investigations “did not reveal any wrongdoing”. It said the family was never told why he was taken.

The family said his health deteriorated while he was detained and that he was now receiving treatment in Kenya.

Amnesty had earlier said Al-Gaddhaffy-Dit was being held at a military facility and called on the Kenyan government to investigate. AFP said it had contacted Kenya's foreign affairs ministry over the case but received no response.