NH Reporter Kidnapped In Libya May Have Been Found
BOSTON (CBS/AP) - It appears a New Hampshire man kidnapped in Libya has been found alive.
On Tuesday, Foley and three other journalists were taken prisoner by forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
Foley was working for the Boston-based website, GlobalPost.
WBZ-TV's Paul Burton reports
Spokesman Rick Byrne said Globalpost was told Thursday by the New York-based Human Rights Watch that James Foley of Rochester, N.H., and three other foreign journalists were taken captive Tuesday evening while they were reporting on the outskirts of Brega.
But on Thursday night, Foley's parents received a call saying he's alive and has been found.
At this point, there are still conflicting reports and it's unclear what will happen next.
Jimmy's parents, Diane and John Foley, who live in New Hampshire, are praying for the safe return of their son.
"I'm praying very hard that he's not being beaten or tortured," said John Foley. "I am praying that he'll be able to come home and God will protect him."
A human rights organization in Geneva, and Globalpost have both been giving them updates.
They understand the risk involved in the job Jimmy has been doing. But, they say, it's also what the wants to be doing.
"He wants to be where the news was. He wants to be a voice to the underdogs to the people who have no voice. He's a humble person a great listener and people seem to tell him their story," says John.
Byrne said editors at the website, which focuses on international reporting, last heard from Foley on Monday evening. Byrne said Foley regularly contributes videos and dispatches from the scene.
Philip Balboni, GlobalPost CEO and president, said in a statement the news organization has asked the Libyan foreign media office for the immediate release of Foley and the other detained journalists.
James Foley is a reporter for the Boston-based website GlobalPost. (TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
