A French intelligence agent kidnapped in Somalia three years ago was still alive, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Friday.

Speaking in an interview to local broadcaster Europe 1, the minister confirmed new “proofs” and “news” showing that the agent of France’s General Directorate for External Security, who was identified as Denis Allex, was alive.

Abducted in 2009 by Al-Shabab insurgents in Mogadishu, Allex was alleged to have helped train Somalia’s police and presidential guards along with another agent.

Six French nationals are still being held hostage by Islamist groups in the Sahel region.

Xinhua