The Haitian gang connected to a Holmes County-based religious organization is reportedly demanding $1 million per person in ransom money.
The and both quote Haitian Justice Minister Liszt Quitel as saying gang leaders want $17 million for the group abducted Saturday.
鈥淭he demand was made to the country chief of the Christian Aid Ministries 鈥� they asked for $1 million per person,鈥� Quitel told the Times.
Police in Haiti say the gang that perpetrated the kidnappings, known as 400 Mawozo, is known for such extortions in a country that鈥檚 seen kidnappings skyrocket this year amid political instability.
The 12 adults and five children affiliated with Christian Aid Ministries, headquartered in Millersburg, were reportedly headed back to their commune after visiting an orphanage near east of the capital Port-au-Prince when they were taken hostage. Sixteen of those kidnapped are American citizens, along with one Canadian.
A statement from the missionary group鈥檚 website says they鈥檙e working with American and Haitian authorities, and remain in "earnest prayer."
"Join us in prayer that God鈥檚 grace would sustain the men, women, and children who are being held hostage. In a world where violence and force are seen as the solution to problems, we believe in God鈥檚 call to Christians to 鈥溾�ot be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good鈥� (Romans 12:21)," the statement also says.
Marcus Yoder, the executive director of the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center in Millersburg, said the community is deeply concerned and praying for the safe return of the workers in Haiti.
鈥淥ur Amish and Mennonite world is deeply interconnected, and so this affects us all,鈥� Yoder told WOSU on Monday.
