Author Topic: Iraq PM's relatives kidnapped  (Read 96 times)

Thirteen

  • Guest
Iraq PM's relatives kidnapped
« on: November 10, 2004, 07:21:20 AM »
Group threatens beheadings if prisoner, Falluja demands not met
Wednesday, November 10, 2004 Posted: 8:53 AM EST (1353 GMT)
 
Allawi has been interim prime minister since the government gained sovereignty in June.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- At least two members of Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's family have been kidnapped at gunpoint from their home in Baghdad, amid conflicting reports from government officials and sources close to the family.

A group called Ansar al-Jihad has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping on a Web site.

The group demanded the release of all Iraqi prisoners and an end to the attacks on Falluja within 48 hours. It said the hostages would be beheaded if its demands were not met.

Ansar al-Jihad has made several claims for attacks before, but this is its first claim for kidnapping.

The Web site, previously used to post claims from the group, claimed there were three hostages. An Allawi adviser and a source close to the family also said three family members were abducted.

But Allawi's office Wednesday said it was aware of the abduction of two family members -- Allawi's cousin, Ghazy Allawi, 75, and his cousin's daughter-in-law.

They went missing after a group of gunmen raided the home, said Allawi adviser George Sada. Authorities have not received any demands for their release.

Ghazi Allawi's bodyguards informed Allawi of the kidnapping, Sada said. It was not clear if the house was secured at the time of the kidnapping Tuesday.

Ghazy Allawi has no political interest and did not work for any governmental facility, said Thair Al-Nakib, spokesman for the prime minister's office.

"The prime minister has ordered all efforts be made to find the kidnappers and subject them to the full force of justice and the law, along with all other criminals and terrorists in Iraq," Al-Nakib said.

"Such crimes only increase his and his government's determination to root out these terrorists and criminals in Iraq."

Hundreds of Iraqis have been kidnapped by criminal gangs in a wave of abductions in recent months, with more wealthy individuals such as doctors and businessmen most regularly targeted. Most are released after the payment of ransom.

Over the same period, scores of foreigners have been seized, with many of them handed over to Islamic militant groups who have threatened to kill them if demands are not met.

More than 35 foreign hostages have been killed, according to The Associated Press, several by beheading.

CNN's Kianne Sadeq, Kevin Flower and Ayman Mohyeldin contributed to this report
 

Rampant

  • Muthafuckin' Don!
  • *****
  • Posts: 831
  • Karma: -13
Re: Iraq PM's relatives kidnapped
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2004, 12:43:36 PM »
It's sad that this war is going in this direction. I just dont even know how this could turn out good. It seems as if its getting worse for both sides. ITs going to be a long time before we see progress.