hostage takers
Those seizing prisoners
Hostage takers are people who seize and hold others captive, typically to force concessions from a government or third party.
The term applies to terrorists, kidnappers, or criminals who use human leverage: Negotiators established contact with the hostage takers.
Figuratively, anyone who holds something essential hostage to extract demands: The minority faction became hostage takers, blocking the budget until their amendments passed.
- captorsThose holding prisoners
- hijackersThose who seize vehicles
- kidnappersPeople who seize others
- abductorOne who takes captives
- terrorist cellClandestine group planning attacks
seizer · ransom · proof of life · intruder · detainment · coercion · intimidation · gunman · confinement · criminal · insurgents · human shields · media blackout · crisis management · prisoner swap · Stockholm syndrome · negotiation · safe passage
hostage takersrescuers
Those who save endangered people
liberators · special forces · first responders · Delta Force · emergency services
hostage takersliberators
Those who free captives
rescuers · saviors · victim advocates · hostage negotiators · protectors
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