Iraqi kidnappers release Cypriot hostage after four months
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-01 19:46

A Cypriot man kidnapped in Iraq four months ago has been released, a relative said Sunday.

"This was the greatest present for me. I spoke to him and he is fine," his aunt, Rita Medzadourian, told The Associated Press. Garabet Jekerjian, 41, who holds both Cypriot and Lebanese citizenship, was kidnapped by gunmen in Baghdad in August. It was unclear when he was released.

He worked for Geto Trading Ltd., a Cyprus-based company supplying food and alcoholic drinks to U.S. forces. Islam prohibits consumption of alcohol.

On September 12, an organization calling itself "Propagation of Virtue and Prohibition of Vice Group" posted a video on an Islamic Web site. It showed a man who identified himself as Garabet Jekerjian and a masked captor pointing a gun at his head.

Medzadourian said she found out about his release Saturday and did not have any other details.