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01/12/2005
Anti-war campaigner intervenes in hostage crisis
A British anti-war campaigner is travelling to Iraq in an attempt to secure the release of peace activist Norman Kember.
Anas Altikriti will fly to Iraq on Friday to attempt to appeal directly for the release of Mr Kember and three other hostages.
Mr Kember, 74, from Pinner, London, was kidnapped at the weekend, along with two Canadians and an American. The hostages are peace activists who belong to the Christian Peacemaker teams.
A video of the four hostages was broadcast on Arabic television network al-Jazeera on Tuesday. Their captors, a previously unknown group calling themselves the Swords of Truth Brigade, alleged that the hostages were undercover spies.
The British Anti-War movement, represented by the Muslim Association of Britain, the Stop the War Coalition and CND, said that Mr Kember was a “well-known member of the anti-war effort” and had taken part in demonstrations held in protest against the war in Iraq. In a statement, they said that Mr Kember was “therefore a friend of the Iraqi people and a supporter of their struggle for freedom and sovereignty”.
The movement said that they had been following the events in Iraq with “growing concern” and said that the situation was “gradually developing into one that could result in dire consequences”.
The movement also said that they hoped Mr Altikriti’s mission would be successful, but admitted that it was “far from safe or guaranteed”.
The Muslim Council of Britain has also appealed for Mr Kember’s release.
Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the MCB said: “Norman Kember is a man who cares deeply for the people of Iraq and his kidnap and continued detention is completely unjustifiable. Our faith of Islam holds in great esteem the peaceful bridge-building work that Mr Kember was involved in.”
(KMcA/SP)
Anas Altikriti will fly to Iraq on Friday to attempt to appeal directly for the release of Mr Kember and three other hostages.
Mr Kember, 74, from Pinner, London, was kidnapped at the weekend, along with two Canadians and an American. The hostages are peace activists who belong to the Christian Peacemaker teams.
A video of the four hostages was broadcast on Arabic television network al-Jazeera on Tuesday. Their captors, a previously unknown group calling themselves the Swords of Truth Brigade, alleged that the hostages were undercover spies.
The British Anti-War movement, represented by the Muslim Association of Britain, the Stop the War Coalition and CND, said that Mr Kember was a “well-known member of the anti-war effort” and had taken part in demonstrations held in protest against the war in Iraq. In a statement, they said that Mr Kember was “therefore a friend of the Iraqi people and a supporter of their struggle for freedom and sovereignty”.
The movement said that they had been following the events in Iraq with “growing concern” and said that the situation was “gradually developing into one that could result in dire consequences”.
The movement also said that they hoped Mr Altikriti’s mission would be successful, but admitted that it was “far from safe or guaranteed”.
The Muslim Council of Britain has also appealed for Mr Kember’s release.
Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the MCB said: “Norman Kember is a man who cares deeply for the people of Iraq and his kidnap and continued detention is completely unjustifiable. Our faith of Islam holds in great esteem the peaceful bridge-building work that Mr Kember was involved in.”
(KMcA/SP)
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Foreign Secretary calls for Iraq hostage release
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has repeated calls for the release of four peace activists in Iraq, as their kidnappers announced that the deadline for their execution had been extended.
05 December 2005
Iraq hostage's wife makes TV appeal
The wife of British man Norman Kember, who was kidnapped in Iraq last week, has made an appeal begging his captors to release him. In a video broadcast on Arabic television network al-Jazeera, Pat Kember described her husband as a man who believed in peace and who had only gone to Iraq to help its people.
Iraq hostage's wife makes TV appeal
The wife of British man Norman Kember, who was kidnapped in Iraq last week, has made an appeal begging his captors to release him. In a video broadcast on Arabic television network al-Jazeera, Pat Kember described her husband as a man who believed in peace and who had only gone to Iraq to help its people.
24 March 2006
Norman Kember to return to UK
The wife of British hostage Norman Kember, who is reported to be on his way back to the UK, has spoken of her joy at the release of her husband after four months of being held captive in Iraq. Pat Kember told a radio station in New Zealand that she was "thrilled" that her peace activist husband had been freed, along with two Canadian colleagues.
Norman Kember to return to UK
The wife of British hostage Norman Kember, who is reported to be on his way back to the UK, has spoken of her joy at the release of her husband after four months of being held captive in Iraq. Pat Kember told a radio station in New Zealand that she was "thrilled" that her peace activist husband had been freed, along with two Canadian colleagues.
07 December 2005
Hostage pleads for troop withdrawal in Iraq
British hostage Norman Kember has called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to withdraw British troops from Iraq in a new video. The video, which was shown on the Internet, showed Mr Kember, 74, in handcuffs and shackles, along with the three other hostages, seized along with him in Baghdad nearly two weeks ago.
Hostage pleads for troop withdrawal in Iraq
British hostage Norman Kember has called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to withdraw British troops from Iraq in a new video. The video, which was shown on the Internet, showed Mr Kember, 74, in handcuffs and shackles, along with the three other hostages, seized along with him in Baghdad nearly two weeks ago.
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