Metropolitan Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim and Metropolitan Boulous Yazigi, who have been missing for over 100 days now, were reported to be alive and held captive in Turkey, said a report by Fars News Agency.
Citing a source, the report said the two bishops who were abducted near Aleppo are still alive and kept in Turkish soil.
The source, a British diplomat, reportedly received the information from a US representative.
Armed groups affiliated to Istanbul Council and Muslim Brotherhood are holding both bishops in Turkey, the report quoted the diplomat as saying.
Syriac Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Archbishops of Aleppo, Yohanna Ibrahim and Paul Yazigi, were seized by armed men in the village of Kfar Dael as they were carrying out humanitarian work in the area.
The bishops were kidnapped on April 22 near the Turkish-Syrian border between Aleppo and Antioch.
The Committee of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate made an official statement on Monday, demonstrating their frustration and sadness at the lack of progress that has been made in the case.
Religions for Peace, the world’s largest multi-religious organization, earlier called for the release of the two church leaders.
“Release the Bishops! Let them take up together with Syria’s other religious leaders the hard but essential work of stemming sectarian violence and building a just peace,” the group said in a statement.
Sources
Image: FNA