Top > World > 2005 > December > 2005-12-05

Kidnappers Threaten to Kill Hostages in Iraq

Four Christian activists have been kidnapped in Iraq and now are being threatened with potential death if officials do not answer the demands that prisoners in U.S. and Iraqi detention centers be freed. The demands were shown Friday on a tape shown by Al-Jazeera television. One American, one Briton and two Canadians, (the four) were kidnapped on November 26th, 2005 in an area near Baghdad University.

The hostages also spoke on the tape and called on the U.S. and British government to withdraw from Iraq. The four men were with the group, Christian Peacemaker Teams, based in Chicago.

The tape came with a statement that gave the U.S. and Iraqi government until Dec. 8 to meet their demands. The kidnappers have previously identified themselves as the Swords of Righteousness Brigade, a group that has been previously unknown.