Fr Dhiya Azziz, an Iraqi Franciscan priest, kidnapped by terrorists in Syria has been released, according to reports. On July 4, Custody of the Holy Land, the Franciscan authority of the Holy Land, said that Fr Azziz had been taken from Yacoubiyah, in the province of Idlib, by Islamists thought to be affiliated to Al-Nusra Jabhat. However, in a statement Custody of the Holy Land now says that "this group has denied any involvement in his kidnapping and allegedly led the police investigation in neighbouring villages which led to (Fr Azziz's) liberation." The statement also said that the priest was "allegedly treated well during his kidnapping". The Custody of the Holy Land thanked those around the world who prayed for Fr Azziz and urged prayers for other religious still missing in Syria.