Home Miscellaneous Dutch hostage liberated after 3.5 years in Mali Dutch PeopleInternational Affairs Dutch hostage liberated after 3.5 years in Mali 07/04/2015 photo: AFP Did you know that Dutchman Sjaak Rijke (54) will be reunited with his wife tonight after being held hostage by Al-Qaeda in Mali for 3.5 years? Yesterday he was liberated by French special forces. We are wishing Sjaak and his family all the best! RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR Music The Netherlands wins Eurovision Song Contest after 44 years International Affairs The cutest border crossing in the world Olympic Games Dutch ice skating champ Ireen Wüst