Yemen's Interior Ministry refused to confirm that al-Qaeda is in possession of the three abducted Europeans and says that media needs to differentiate between criminals and al-Qaeda.
"There is no proof that those who currently hold the Finnish couple and the Austrian are from al-Qaeda. That is one of the major scenarios but no evidence to prove that yet," a senior Interior Ministry official told Yemen Post.

He confirmed that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom and that Yemeni authorities refused to negotiate. "We are in a position where we want the foreigners to be released unharmed but in the same time we do not want to open doors of negotiations with criminals," he said.

He said that Yemen has yet to know where the kidnappers are keeping the foreigners.

The official said that Yemen is doing all in its power to ensure the release of the Europeans.

On December 21st, 2012 three westerners -- two Finns and one Austrian national -- were kidnapped by tribesmen.

The three westerners - a couple and a family friend - were studying Arabic in the Old City - northern district of the capital particularly popular with foreigners as it is considered to be the historical heart of Sana'a, with buildings dating back centuries.