Family pleads for hostage

2005-12-07 18:49

London - The family of kidnapped British peace activist Norman Kember on Wednesday launched a fresh appeal to his abductors in Iraq to set him free.

Kember, 74, one of four Christian peace group campaigners kidnapped in Baghdad on November 26, has appeared on a videotape in shackles and handcuffs.

A previously unknown group, "The Brigades of the Swords of Right", has threatened to kill them unless all detainees in US and Iraqi prisons are released, according to Al-Jazeera television.

"This is an extremely worrying, stressful time for all of Norman's family. We are praying with people from all faiths for the safe release of Norman and his friends," Kember's family said.

"My husband Norman doesn't believe in violence and neither does his family. We believe as he does that everyone should live in peace.

"That is why Norman went to Iraq, because he wanted the Iraqi people to know that there are many people who are sorry for all their suffering.

"We are missing him, especially his three year old grandson.

"We especially welcome and deeply appreciate the support of the 25 Muslim authorities around the world, who have called on the people holding Norman and his three friends to release these innocent hostages immediately."

The Muslim authorities said the continued detention of the hostages could "'only harm the just cause of the Iraqi people and their legitimate struggle for freedom and independence'".

Kember, from northwest London, is a lifelong peace campaigner and human rights advocate.

He and his three colleagues from the Canadian organisation Christian Peacemaker Teams - American Tom Fox, 54 as well as Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32 - were kidnapped.

Abu Qatada, dubbed al-Qaeda's spiritual head in Europe and who is jailed in Britain on national security charges, also called on Wednesday for the four's release.

"I am your brother Abu Qatada, Omar bin Mahmud Abu Omar, who is imprisoned in Britain," said the bearded man in a short clip on the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television station.

"I urge my brothers to release them in line with the principle of mercy of our religion, if there was no compelling religious duty against it," he said.

- AFP