“European nations, including France and Italy, are believed to have paid large sums for the safe release of kidnapped citizens.
The money is most commonly paid through a network of proxies in contact with extremist organisations, often disguised as development aid for a particular country.
A New York Times investigation last year found that al Qaeda and its affiliates have made at least $125m (£83m) from kidnappings since 2008 – including $66m (£44m) in 2013.”
