The Associated Press August 9, 2003

Dutch authorities have been given a videotape showing recent images of a Dutch doctor kidnapped a year ago, his relief organization said Friday.

Arjan Erkel, 33, was kidnapped on Aug. 12, 2002 by three gunmen in Dagestan, which borders Chechnya.

Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad said Erkel, who headed the regional mission of Medecins Sans Frontieres, appears to be in good health in the video, speaks in Russian and asks for ransom money for his captors.

MSF spokeswoman Marieke van Zalk confirmed that a video had been received but said reports of its contents are "speculation."

"A videotape was delivered to the Dutch Embassy in Moscow six or seven weeks ago," she said. "It's not clear exactly where he is or who is holding him."