Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is speaking out following an employee’s freedom after being held hostage since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel.
In a message shared with Amazon employees on Saturday, Jassy addressed Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov’s release from captivity stating that he’s “incredibly relieved” for his safety. Troufanov was working at Amazon Web Services as an electrical engineer in labs in Tel Aviv before he was kidnapped during the deadly Oct. 7 attacks.
“Sasha was abducted along with his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend in the October 7, 2023 attacks, during which his father was killed. His mother, grandmother, and girlfriend were released in November 2023,” Jassy wrote. “Since we learned of Sasha and his family’s abduction, we’ve had a dedicated team working behind the scenes with experts to support efforts to secure their release and to ensure that we did the right thing for them and their safety (including painfully not commenting publicly for fear that we would negatively impact their ability to be released or how they were treated in captivity).”
Jassy’s comments about not speaking out publicly sooner are the first time the CEO has addressed the criticism the company has received for keeping quiet, with some speculating at the time that the company was remaining mum to protect the brand.
“It’s been an extremely trying time for everybody who knows and cares for Sasha — a lot of angst and feelings of helplessness. But, it can’t approach what Sasha and his family have been through, and we will continue to support them and do everything we can to help them heal,” he contined.
Jassy concluded his message by thanking those who “tirelessly advocated for his safe return.”
“I share your gratitude and relief that Sasha and other hostages were released today. My heart goes out to everyone who has been impacted by the war and I continue to hope that we get on a long-term peaceful path,” he concluded.
Troufanov’s release follows Israel and Hamas‘ ceasefire deal on Jan. 19. Before Saturday, PBS reports that “21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners had been freed during the first truce’s phase.”
