Turkish journalist believed kidnapped by al-Qaida linked groups in Syria

ISTANBUL – A Turkish newspaper says one of its photographers has been kidnapped in Syria by groups linked to al-Qaida.

Milliyet newspaper said Tuesday that 43-year-old photographer Bunyamin Aygun was abducted in Syria 21 days ago.

It says Aygun crossed into Syria on Nov. 26 and that he called the paper sometime later to say that he planned to meet with the commander of an opposition group. That was the last anyone heard from him.

The newpaper says Aygun was being held by a radical group that is also believed to have kidnapped El Mundo reporter Javier Espinosa and freelance photo journalist Ricardo Garcia Vilanova.

Turkish authorities say Aygun, who recently won awards for his photographs of Syria, is in good health and that they are trying to get him released.