German Foreign Office says missing German-Egyptian novelist resurfaces in Cairo

BERLIN – Germany's Foreign Office says a German-Egyptian novelist who disappeared in Cairo a few days ago has resurfaced.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said Wednesday that Hamed Abdel-Samad, known for critical and sometimes provocative statements on religion and society, resurfaced Tuesday and has been in contact with the German ambassador in Cairo. He disappeared on Sunday.

The spokesperson, who talked on condition of anonymity in line with department policy, declined to comment on reports that Abdel-Samad had been kidnapped.

Egyptian officials had said Monday initial investigations pointed to a financial dispute, although authorities were also looking into suspicions that radicals had kidnapped the writer.