He also saluted the memory of Lazarevic 's fellow captive Philippe Verdon , who was abducted with him but slain by his captors several months ago . Hostage 's release prompts speculation that the French may have done a deal . French hostage Serge Lazarevic is freed after being held by al Qaeda in Mali . TL;DR The U.S. and France are negotiating for the freedom of an American photojournalist who was kidnapped last month while covering Islamist rebels fighting to overthrow Mali's government. `` He is relatively healthy , despite the very harsh conditions of his long captivity , '' says Hollande .
Hostage 's release prompts speculation that the French may have done a deal . French hostage Serge Lazarevic is freed after being held by al Qaeda in Mali . TL;DR The U.S. and France are negotiating for the freedom of an American photojournalist who was kidnapped last month while covering Islamist rebels fighting to overthrow Mali's government. `` He is relatively healthy , despite the very harsh conditions of his long captivity , '' says Hollande .