By ALYSIA ANDREWS
The two abducted missionaries in Russia are safe after being released early Sunday morning.
According to a news release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Travis Tuttle and Andrew Propst were taken to the outskirts of Saratov, Russia and released. Saratov is about 450 miles southeast of Moscow.
Lee Propst, the father of Elder Propst from Lebanon, Ore., said that both of the missionaries had bumps on their heads from when they were taken.
The other injuries were only minor and included sore hands from being handcuffed.
Last Wednesday, two missionaries from the Russia Samara Mission were kidnapped and held for a $300,000 ransom.
“The Federal Security Service spokesman confirmed the pair had been freed without the payment of a ransom but declined to give further details,” said the Russian News Channel.
Zach Elmer, 22, a business management major from Spokane, Wash., trained Elder Propst during the first three months of Propst’s mission. Elmer said abductions are not very common.
“Personally, I don’t think it is the mafia who kidnapped the elders,” Elmer said. “I think it was a couple of Russians who wanted some money.”
According to Elmer, $300,000 is nothing for the mafia.
No immediate information was given on the kidnappers. Sen. Bob Bennett of Utah had followed the case closely. He said that the kidnappers were young and probably were spooked by the intense interest in the case.
According to a news release, the First Presidency of the LDS Church is rejoicing over the recovery of the missionaries, and they expressed their gratitude to Russian and U.S. law enforcement efforts.
Elmer said he believes the missionaries will remain in Russia and continue their missions.
“If it had been for an extended amount of time, they probably would have brought them home,” Elmer said.
Before Elmer arrived in Russia, one missionary apartment was broken into and the missionaries were beaten and robbed. But situations like this are isolated, Elmer said.
