More Iraqi corpses found

2005-04-22 08:06

Tikrit - Nineteen executed Iraqi soldiers bodies, kidnapped a few days before at a rebel checkpoint, were found dumped near the oil refinery town of Baiji, north of Baghdad, Iraqi police said.

"Police found 19 dead Iraqi soldiers in Baiji. They were taken hostage three or four days ago. They were found in a deserted place between Asainiya and Baiji, with bullet holes to the head and stomach," said Captain Saad Nafos, police commander in Baiji.

Rebels had set up a checkpoint and shot dead two soldiers before kidnapping another 19 travelling in two to three mini-vans in the same area, Nafos said.

Baiji, home to Iraq's largest refinery, 200km north of Baghdad, has been identified by the United States military and Iraqi officials as having a strong insurgency presence.

The discovery of the corpses follows the finding of 19 Iraqi soldiers executed bodies found in Haditha in western Iraq on Wednesday. - AFP

- AFP