Geiselnahme

hostage-taking, kidnapping

noun GY-zel-na-me Rare

Usage Note

Geiselnahme (§ 239b StGB) is taking a person hostage to coerce a third party into action; it carries a minimum sentence of five years and is classified as a serious violent crime in German law.

Examples

"Nach stundenlangen Verhandlungen wurden die Geiseln freigelassen."

Natural Translation

After hours of negotiations the hostages were released.

Literal Translation

After hours-long negotiations were the hostages released.

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