960427

German man

freed after

paying ransom

HAMBURG,(Germany): Kidnappers freed wealthy businessman Jan Philipp Reemtsma, former owner of Germany's second largest cigarette firm, after a 30 million mark ($19.5 million) ransom was paid, police said on Saturday.

Reemtsma, 43, had been snatched from his home on the outskirts of the city on March 25. He walked into a police station late on Friday night and appeared to be in good health, a Hamburg police spokesman said.

Police said the ransom had been handed over in the early hours of Thursday morning near the town of Krefeld. They did not say who had provided the money.

After the kidnap, police imposed a news blackout, fearing media coverage could endanger Reemtsma's safety.-Reuter