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This hostage was released from al Qaeda after nearly six years

Al Qaeda has released a hostage they’ve held in captivity for nearly six years. In 2011, Stephen McGown, now 42, was on vacation in northern Mali when he and three other tourists were kidnapped from Timbuktu. They were taken to a remote location in the Sahara Desert by members of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the group’s largest affiliate in North Africa.

While in custody, McGown said he converted to Islam, and kept himself busy with exercise. “You try to find things that sort of give you escapism from the situation,” he told reporters during an Aug. 10 press conference in Johannesburg.

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Unlike the Islamic State, al Qaeda tends to keep their prisoners alive, and has long made millions through ransom payments. AQIM in particular is known for lucrative kidnapping schemes, and has earned more than $90 million between 2008 and 2013, according to The New York Times.

While most governments don’t officially negotiate hostage releases, there are often intermediaries that step in. An aid organization called The Gift of the Givers has campaigned for McGown’s release for years.

At the press conference, reporters asked McGown about his plans for the future and how he felt catching up on the news he’s missed. He said Donald Trump and Brexit didn’t bother him, but he was surprised by one new trend.

“I see everybody seems to be growing beards these days,” McGown said. “All my friends have got beards, so maybe I fit in fine with this.”