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US soldier reportedly captured in Iraq
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-02 01:56

Iraqi militants claimed in a Web statement Tuesday to have taken an American soldier hostage and threatened to behead him in 72 hours unless the Americans release Iraqi prisoners.

A little-known Iraqi insurgent group called Mujahideen Squadrons said on February 1, 2005 it was holding a U.S. soldier and threatened to kill him within 72 hours if Iraqi prisoners were not released, according to an Internet statement. [Reuters]
The posting, on a Web site that frequently carried militants' statements, included a photo of what appeared to be an American soldier in desert fatigues seated with his hands tied behind his back. A gun barrel was pointed at his head, and he is seated in front of a black banner emblazoned with the Islamic profession of faith, "There is no god but God and Muhammad is His prophet."

A statement posted with the picture suggested the group was holding other soldiers.

"Our mujahadeen heroes of Iraq's Jihadi Battalion were able to capture American military man John Adam after killing a number of his comrades and capturing the rest," said the statement, signed by the "Mujahedeen Brigades."

"God willing, we will behead him if our female and male prisoners are not released from U.S. prisons within the maximum period of 72 hours from the time this statement has been released," the statement said.

The claim, carried on the Web site ansarnet.ws, could not be verified.
This combination photograph shows an image (L), which was posted on an Iraqi militant web site on February 1, 2005, appearing to show a U.S. soldier sitting in front of a black banner with a rifle pointed at his head; and an undated photograph (R) provided by figurine and toy distributor Monkey Depot.com, showing toy manufacturer Dragon Models USA's action figure 'Cody' in a box. Dragon Models USA said on February 1, 2005 that the photograph posted on the web site claiming to be a captured U.S. soldier resembled the toy action figure. Reports of a possible hoax surfaced after the group claimed that it was holding the soldier and threatened to kill him within 72 hours if Iraqi prisoners were not released, according to the Internet statement.
This combination photograph shows an image (L), which was posted on an Iraqi militant web site on February 1, 2005, appearing to show a U.S. soldier sitting in front of a black banner with a rifle pointed at his head; and an undated photograph (R) provided by figurine and toy distributor Monkey Depot.com, showing toy manufacturer Dragon Models USA's action figure 'Cody' in a box. Dragon Models USA said on February 1, 2005 that the photograph posted on the web site claiming to be a captured U.S. soldier resembled the toy action figure. Reports of a possible hoax surfaced after the group claimed that it was holding the soldier and threatened to kill him within 72 hours if Iraqi prisoners were not released, according to the Internet statement. [Reuters]



 
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