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# Release urged for kidnapped volunteer
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/release-urged-for-kidnapped-volunteer/
- Published: 2003-03-10T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:45:59.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Community, Promenade, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

Doctors Without Borders will hold a public celebration today on the Third Street Promenade honoring the birthday of one of its volunteers who was kidnapped more than six months ago.

Arjan Erkel was kidnapped Aug. 12, 2002 while volunteering on one of the organization’s aid programs in Dagestan, a republic of the Russian Federation.

Neither Doctors Without Borders nor Erkel’s family have received any information since then as to why he was kidnapped, who took him or where he is being held.

Today, friends and colleagues in more than 80 countries around the world will celebrate Erkel’s 33rd birthday and call for his release. Also, Doctors Without Borders will gather signatures on a petition calling for Russian and Dagestani authorities to give his abduction a higher priority.

The event will take place today on the Promenade from noon to 2 p.m., between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Avenue, near the old Midnight Special Bookstore.

For more information, call 310-399-0049.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 10, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/031003.pdf?ref=smdp.com)