Confession of Dijana Lazarević, whose father is captured by al-Qaida

Confession of Dijana Lazarević, whose father is captured by al-Qaida

Serge Lazarević (50) appeared in new video posted by al-Qaida. With beard and turban, he was complaining about his health problems. His daughter Dijana hopes that her father will come back home alive.

- I feel pain in my kidneys and I have high blood pressure. I'm affraid for my life. Please Mister President, do what they want and release me, because you are responsible for everything that happens to me - says Lazarević in a message to Francois Hollande, President of France. Serge Lazarević has dual citizenship, French and Serbian.

His daughter Dijana hopes that her father will be released.

- I am worried because he lost weight and looks tortured. I hope he will come home for Christmas. I know it's probably a childish dream, but it happened before that hostages were released on Christmas - says Dijana Lazarević.

Serge Lazarević was captured in November 2011, in region Sahel in Mali,  accompanying Frenchman Philippe Verdon (54). They were both seized by armed men in Mali's north, relatives said. Verdon was found shot dead last year. It was killed in March last year, as sign of retaliation against French military actions in that African country.

Al-Qaida called Lazarević and Verdonne "French spies", but French government denied such accusations.

French President Francois Hollande's office late Monday authenticated the video and said it constitutes "proof of life" of the hostage, Serge Lazarevic, who was captured in November 2011. Hollande's office said it was doing all it could to help gain Lazarevic's release.