30/06/2009

British Hostages 'Were Shot Dead' In Iraq

The two British hostages whose bodies were recently flown home from Iraq died from gunshot wounds, reports have stated.

A coroner is said to have concluded the two security guards, who were among a group of Britons who were held hostage in the country, were both shot dead.

The bodies of Jason Swindlehurst, from Skelmersdale, and Jason Creswell, from Glasgow, were flown from Baghdad last week to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire last week, the BBC has reported.

The men's families and those of the other three hostages who are still in missing in Iraq have been informed, the BBC added.

The five men were captured in Baghdad in May 2007.

A Foreign Office spokesman declined to comment on the inquests, saying: "This is an ongoing matter for the coroner."

The Shia Muslim group which had held them hostage had previously claimed Mr Swindlehurst had committed suicide, a claim refuted by his family.

(JM/BMcc)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

30 July 2004
Annan condemns murder of Pakistani hostages in Iraq
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has today reiterated his condemnation of all hostage-takings and acts of violence against innocent civilians following the killing of two Pakistanis in Iraq yesterday.
03 November 2004
Kidnappers threaten to hand Hassan over to Zarqawi terror gang
The group holding Care aid worker Margaret Hassan has threatened to hand her over to Abu Musab Al Zarqawi's terror cell if their demands for the withdrawal of UK troops from Iraq is not met. The threat was contained in a videotape handed over to the Arabic language news service Al Jazeera.
19 July 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
05 April 2007
British naval crew return to the UK
Fifteen British sailors and marines held captive in Iran have returned to Britain. The group travelled back to Britain from Iran on a British Airways flight which touched down at Heathrow shortly after midday on Thursday.
27 November 2008
One Briton Dead, Several Others Injured In Mumbai Attacks
A British woman is one of scores killed by Islamic extremists in Indian, it has been reported. At least seven other Britons have been injured in the Mumbai attacks, the British High Commissioner in India confirmed earlier.