Poland's FM: Pole fled captivity in Syria

WARSAW, Poland (AP) A Polish photographer abducted in July in Syria has returned to Poland after escaping from his captors, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

Marcin Suder, working for a Polish photo agency, was abducted in the rebel-held northern town of Saraqeb when masked gunmen stormed a media center. Saraqeb remains under rebel control.

Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said on Twitter that "Marcin Suder is back in the homeland."

Ministry spokesman Marcin Wojciechowski said Suder "managed to flee thanks to extraordinarily good luck." He refused to give any detail.

"He is safe, with his family," Wojciechowski said. "We are very happy that he is back in Poland."

Suder's mother, Krystyna Jarosz, told radio RMF FM that he felt well, though he was thin and had some marks on his body which she did not explain.

She said Suder had been held in a dark basement, initially without food.

Poland's consular service and the Defense Ministry helped bring Suder back to Poland, Wojciechowski said.

Sikorski urged Poles not to travel to dangerous places and conflict zones.