Iraqi-American hostage on TV
2004-05-06 15:42
Dubai - A blindfolded man described as an Iraqi-American being held hostage in Iraq was shown pleading for help on an Arab television station on Thursday.
The man, speaking in English, gave his name as Aban Elias and said he was from Denver, Colorado.
"I am a civil engineer working here in Baghdad," he said, adding that he worked for the Pentagon.
Elias, shown in a 20-second segment on Dubai-based Al-Arabiya TV, appealed to Islamic associations to work for his release. An editor at the station said the entire tape was only 30-40 seconds long.
"I was kidnapped and I call upon Muslim organisations to interfere to release me," Elias said.
An Al-Arabiya editor said the tape included a picture of his US passport, which showed Iraq as his place of birth. The station did not air that segment.
With the tape came a statement from a previously unknown group calling itself "The Islamic Rage Brigade." The group said Elias was kidnapped on May 3. It made no demands for his release.
The station editor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the station received the tape in Dubai on Thursday. The station did not say how the tape was received. - Sapa-AP
- SAPA