If you are detained abroad and there is U.S. consular representation in that country, you have a right to a visit from a U.S. government official, said Alex Puig, regional security director of Americas for International SOS, a medical and security services firm operating in 70 countries.

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The Ethiopians, who led the war against the Islamists, say the prisoners were not held secretly and that they had consular and legal representation.

ECONOMIST: Ethiopia