Family of professor taken hostage 'overjoyed' at return

By AAP Newswire

Mar 1, 2023

The family of Australian professor Bryce Barker say they're overjoyed at his safe return after he was held hostage in Papua New Guinea.

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The anthropologist returned to Australia on Monday after being taken captive at gun point along with three other colleagues from PNG.

The PNG government secured their release with a small ransom.

The family of the New Zealand national expressed their gratitude to the PNG, Australian and New Zealand governments.

"Thank you again to everyone who played a role in his safe return home," they said in a statement on Wednesday.

The family also thanked the University of Southern Queensland for the support it provided the family.

"The kindness and care of so many in our community have been sources of strength for us," they said.

"We kindly ask for privacy as we begin the healing process with Bryce."

Prof Barker's work has included studying rock art on Cape York Peninsula and the archaeology of the Great Papuan Plateau.

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