Another beheading in Iraq :(
FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - British hostage Ken Bigley was beheaded near Baghdad on Thursday afternoon, insurgent sources in the rebel-held town of Falluja said on Friday.
Abu Dhabi Television, quoting "informed" sources in Iraq, had said earlier that the militant group led by al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had killed Bigley.
Britain's Foreign Office said it was aware of the reports. "We cannot corroborate the reports ... We are in close touch with Mr. Bigley's family at this difficult time," a Foreign Office spokesman told Reuters in London.
The insurgent sources said Bigley was killed in the town of Latifiya, about 35 km (22 miles) southwest of the Iraqi capital.
They declined to say how they had got their information.
Britain's Sky TV, quoting British government sources, also said Bigley had been killed.
The 62-year-old engineer was kidnapped in Baghdad on Sept. 16 by the Tawhid and Jihad Group which has beheaded two American hostages who were seized along with the Briton. Militants have launched a spate of kidnappings as part of attempts to undermine the U.S.-led coalition ahead of January elections.
"We have learned from informed sources in the Iraqi capital that the kidnappers of Kenneth Bigley have killed him," an Abu Dhabi newscaster said.
The kidnappers had demanded U.S.-led forces in Iraq release women prisoners in Iraqi jails to spare Bigley's life. Washington says it holds only two women in Iraq, both top weapons scientists from the days of Saddam Hussein.
The British say they are not holding any women.
Asked to comment on the reports, Bigley's brother Paul told Reuters in London: "I have heard nothing at all. I have been optimistic and remain optimistic. I am praying this news is not true."
Iraqi Interior Ministry officials in Baghdad said they had no information on the report.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...toryID=6452753
Abu Dhabi Television, quoting "informed" sources in Iraq, had said earlier that the militant group led by al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had killed Bigley.
Britain's Foreign Office said it was aware of the reports. "We cannot corroborate the reports ... We are in close touch with Mr. Bigley's family at this difficult time," a Foreign Office spokesman told Reuters in London.
The insurgent sources said Bigley was killed in the town of Latifiya, about 35 km (22 miles) southwest of the Iraqi capital.
They declined to say how they had got their information.
Britain's Sky TV, quoting British government sources, also said Bigley had been killed.
The 62-year-old engineer was kidnapped in Baghdad on Sept. 16 by the Tawhid and Jihad Group which has beheaded two American hostages who were seized along with the Briton. Militants have launched a spate of kidnappings as part of attempts to undermine the U.S.-led coalition ahead of January elections.
"We have learned from informed sources in the Iraqi capital that the kidnappers of Kenneth Bigley have killed him," an Abu Dhabi newscaster said.
The kidnappers had demanded U.S.-led forces in Iraq release women prisoners in Iraqi jails to spare Bigley's life. Washington says it holds only two women in Iraq, both top weapons scientists from the days of Saddam Hussein.
The British say they are not holding any women.
Asked to comment on the reports, Bigley's brother Paul told Reuters in London: "I have heard nothing at all. I have been optimistic and remain optimistic. I am praying this news is not true."
Iraqi Interior Ministry officials in Baghdad said they had no information on the report.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...toryID=6452753
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