Report: Kidnappers say British hostage commits suicide
One of five British hostages captured in Iraq last year has committed suicide, the kidnappers said in a videotape obtained by The Sunday Times.
The London-based newspaper published a video that included a statement claiming that the hostage, identified as Jason, died May 25, four days before the first anniversary of his abduction.
The video was received in Baghdad last week, the newspaper said.
The British government said it could not independently verify the claims in the video, including the hostage’s “purported death,” a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.
“As in the case of previous messages from the hostage takers, the Government emphasizes the humanitarian appeal of the families for the men’s release,” a statement from the Foreign Office said.
The video is titled “Intihar” — or “suicide” — and opens with a photograph of the hostage wearing a football shirt, the newspaper reported.
He is identified as Jason in a statement signed “The Shiite Islamic Resistance in Iraq” that appears on screen.
The statement, according to the newspaper, blames the British government for the status of the hostages.
“This procrastination and foot-dragging and lack of seriousness on the part of the British government has prolonged their psychological deterioration, pushing one of them, Jason, to commit suicide on 25/5/2008,” the statement said, according to the newspaper. “He surprised our brethren, who were taking care of him, with his suicide.”
The newspaper reported that the captors said say they regret the hostage’s death “but hold the British government responsible for the hostages’ fate.”
The footage shows another hostage appealing for the British government to hasten the men’s release.
“Physically, I’m not doing well,” the newspaper quoted the unidentified hostage as saying. “Psychologically, I’m doing a lot worse. I want to see my family again.”
Five Britons and two Iraqis were kidnapped in May 2007 from an Iraqi Finance Ministry building in Baghdad. Only one hostage, Peter Moore, has identified himself by name in a video released in February in which he pleaded with the British government to negotiate for the hostages’ release.
On May 29, the anniversary of the kidnappings, Britain’s ambassador to Iraq, Christopher Prentice, appealed to the kidnappers to let the captives go.
The Sunday Times story said that an intermediary who handed the video to a newspaper representative said the hostage who died had made two previous attempts at suicide.
“He said proof of death would be provided only if the British government agreed to negotiate,” the newspaper said.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is visiting Iraq, said in a statement, “we are taking this very seriously.”
“There are many people working behind the scenes trying to find a solution,” the statement said.
Brow said he has discussed the hostage situation with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
“We both share a desire to see them returned safely to their families. I call on those holding the hostages to release them immediately and unconditionally.”
The Foreign Office said the families of the hostages have been notified of the video.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/07/19/british.hostage/index.html
