Incident Summary:

08/21/2017: Assailants abducted Franz Hiebert Wieler, a Mennonite settler, in Santa Clara, Tacuati, San Pedro, Paraguay. Wieler was released on February 5, 2018 following a ransom payment. The Paraguayan People's Army (EPP) claimed responsibility for the incident.

GTD ID:
201708210037

When:
2017-08-21

Country:
Paraguay

Region:
South America

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

San Pedro

City:
Tacuati

Location Details:
The incident occurred in the Santa Clara neighborhood.

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Hostage Taking (Kidnapping)
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity Not Applicable
Specific Description Mennonite Farmer: Franz Hiebert Wieler
Nationality of Target Paraguay
Additional Information
Hostages Yes
Number of Hostages 1
US Hostages 0
Days of Kidnapping 168
Outcome Hostage(s) released by perpetrators
Ransom Yes
Total Ransom Amount Demanded 500000.00
Ransom Amount Demanded from US Sources 0.00
Total Ransom Amount Paid 500000.00
Total Ransom Amount Paid by US Sources 0.00
Ransom Notes Unknown
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Paraguayan People's Army (EPP) Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Unknown)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 0 Fatalities / 0 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 0
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 0
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Paraguay's EPP rebels free two Mennonite hostages," BBC, February 5, 2018.
"Paraguayan rebel group frees 2 kidnapped Mennonite men; Paraguayan rebel group frees 2 kidnapped Mennonite men," The Canadian Press, February 5, 2018.
"Mennonites kidnapped by Paraguayan rebels released," EFE, February 5, 2018.