Some 11 Russians were kidnapped, 7 Chinese released in Iraq
Iraq, Politics, 4/13/2004

News reports in Moscow said quoting an official in the Russian world company for energy services that some 11 Russian working in the company's branch in Baghdad were kidnapped. The reports added quoting the Russian official that two Iraqis from the guards of the building might have been killed during armed confrontations with the kidnappers.

Meantime, Gen. Ricardo Sanchaise said that two American soldiers and 7 American contractors working for Halliburton company are considered among the lost.

On the other hand, a Japanese parliamentarian said that the foreign ministry informed the families of the kidnapped that it doubts the credibility of the mediator who said there was a progress in releasing them.

Meanwhile, the Muslim scholars commission in Iraq announced that seven Chinese who were detained earlier were handed over by veiled men to the commission. The veiled men released the seven hostages on Monday evening before Um al-Qura mosque in Baghdad and with them is a message that this step( the release) is in response to the call of the Muslim Scholars commission to release the kidnapped.

Representatives for the commission handed over the hostages for the first secretary in the Chinese embassy in Baghdad. The second secretary in the Chinese embassy in Baghdad confirmed the release of the kidnapped and said they are in a good status and they are secure. He expressed his conviction that they will return back home but refused to give more details on this point.

Al-Mahdi army yesterday renewed its warning to the Bulgarian contingent positioned in Karbala city to withdraw before midnight, according to its leader Hamza al-Tae in an interview with the Bulgarian private Darik radio.

Previous Stories:
  Moroccans demonstrate against coalition's operations in Iraq   (4/12/2004)
  Khatami-deplores incidents in Iraq   (4/12/2004)
  Several Marines injured, one Apache downed west Baghdad. A fragile truce, Kerbalaa weeps al-Hussein, chanted for resistance   (4/12/2004)

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