Slidell, LA: Diplomatic efforts unable to free Elton Mark McCabe held in South Sudan

State Department: ‘We remain extremely concerned.’

SLIDELL, La. —

An international effort is on to return a St. Tammany Parish man to the United States following his arrest and detention in South Sudan.

Elton Mark McCabe went to that fledgling African nation in August on business. He was arrested on Oct. 14 in connection with the alleged kidnapping of an Indian man.

“He was being detained without a warrant, without seeing a judge in 24 hours and without having the embassy contacted,” his wife, Anne McCabe, told WDSU.

And U.S. officials agree — there are serious concerns about the process that has unfolded overseas

“Completely false accusations,” U.S. Sen. David Vitter said. “We have very good relations with some very high level folks in the South Sudan government, including the ambassador, including the president, but this is a corrupt country, so there are all kinds of forces and power centers, even outside the government.”

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