Somali man charged in kidnapping of Amanda Lindhout

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The RCMP have charged a Somali man in connection with the hostage taking of Canadian freelance journalist Amanda Lindhout. Lindhout and fellow journalist Nigel Brennan were kidnapped in somalia in the summer of 2008, and were held hostage for 15 months.

Lindhout, who is from Red Deer, Alberta, later wrote a best-selling memoir detailing the traumatic experience, and revealed that she was sexually assaulted while in captivity. Lindhout and Brennan were released in November 2009.

The mounties have now charged Ali Omar Aider with hostage-taking for his role as a negotiator. Aider made a brief court appearance in Ottawa earlier today.

Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, Steven Blaney released a statement earlier today thanking not only Canadian law enforcement, but also the Australian federal police for their support in the operation.