21/10/2005
Guardian journalist released in Iraq unharmed
Irish-born journalist Rory Carroll has been released unharmed after being kidnapped in Baghdad earlier this week.
The Guardian confirmed that the 33-year-old journalist was released on Thursday night after being held for 36 hours.
Mr Carroll, Baghdad correspondent for ‘The Guardian’ newspaper, had been conducting an interview with a victim of former dictator Saddam Hussein’s regime in a house in the Iraqi capital on Wednesday. When he left the dwelling, accompanied by two drivers and a translator, Mr Carroll was confronted by gunmen and was bundled into a car, along with one of the drivers who was released shortly afterwards.
Speaking from the Baghdad’s Green Zone, Mr Carroll told the paper that he was “absolutely fine” and had been treated well, apart from “a bit of initial roughness” when he was first taken.
Mr Carroll described his kidnappers as “Shia opportunists”. He told the Guardian that he had been handcuffed and held in a room under the ground floor of a house.
He said that the gunmen told him that he would be used as a “bargaining chip” in exchange for followers of the radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, and feared that he might be handed over to Sunni or Islamic groups.
However, Mr Carroll said he was released after one of his captors received a call on a mobile phone.
Alan Rusbridger, the editor of the Guardian, said he was “overjoyed” that Mr Carroll had been safely released. He said: “We’d like to thank all those in London, Dublin and Iraq who played a role in freeing him.”
(KMcA/SP)
The Guardian confirmed that the 33-year-old journalist was released on Thursday night after being held for 36 hours.
Mr Carroll, Baghdad correspondent for ‘The Guardian’ newspaper, had been conducting an interview with a victim of former dictator Saddam Hussein’s regime in a house in the Iraqi capital on Wednesday. When he left the dwelling, accompanied by two drivers and a translator, Mr Carroll was confronted by gunmen and was bundled into a car, along with one of the drivers who was released shortly afterwards.
Speaking from the Baghdad’s Green Zone, Mr Carroll told the paper that he was “absolutely fine” and had been treated well, apart from “a bit of initial roughness” when he was first taken.
Mr Carroll described his kidnappers as “Shia opportunists”. He told the Guardian that he had been handcuffed and held in a room under the ground floor of a house.
He said that the gunmen told him that he would be used as a “bargaining chip” in exchange for followers of the radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, and feared that he might be handed over to Sunni or Islamic groups.
However, Mr Carroll said he was released after one of his captors received a call on a mobile phone.
Alan Rusbridger, the editor of the Guardian, said he was “overjoyed” that Mr Carroll had been safely released. He said: “We’d like to thank all those in London, Dublin and Iraq who played a role in freeing him.”
(KMcA/SP)
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Efforts continue to find missing journalist
Efforts are continuing to find an Irish journalist feared kidnapped in Iraq. Rory Carroll, 33, Iraq correspondent for ‘The Guardian’, is believed to have been abducted by armed men while conducting an interview in Baghdad.
Efforts continue to find missing journalist
Efforts are continuing to find an Irish journalist feared kidnapped in Iraq. Rory Carroll, 33, Iraq correspondent for ‘The Guardian’, is believed to have been abducted by armed men while conducting an interview in Baghdad.
19 October 2005
Guardian reporter feared kidnapped in Iraq
An Irish-born reporter for ‘The Guardian’ newspaper is missing in Iraq, it has been confirmed. It is feared that a gang of armed men has kidnapped Rory Carroll, the paper’s Baghdad correspondent.
Guardian reporter feared kidnapped in Iraq
An Irish-born reporter for ‘The Guardian’ newspaper is missing in Iraq, it has been confirmed. It is feared that a gang of armed men has kidnapped Rory Carroll, the paper’s Baghdad correspondent.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.