The first news of her abduction broke on 24 April 1999 when her son managed to contact the international writers’ association, PEN, with an urgent appeal that the news of her abduction be made known as widely as possible.
Esimesed uudised tema röövimisest said avalikuks 24. aprillil 1999, kui ta poeg sai ühendust rahvusvahelise kirjanike ühenduse PEN-klubiga, kutsudes üles levitama uudiseid röövimisest võimalikult laialt.