For several months this year, France held the dubious record of being the Western country with the highest number of nationals held hostage abroad. The hostage-taking "market" can be lucrative; over the years, unofficial middlemen have been hired to mediate between kidnappers and their hostages' governments. Well connected, they work in the shadows - but their role is far from being on a voluntary basis. We meet one of them.<br /><br />Visit our website:<br />http://www.france24.com<br /><br />Like us on Facebook:<br />https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English<br /><br />Follow us on Twitter:<br />https://twitter.com/France24_en
