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EOHR calls for immediate release of six Egyptians kidnapped in Iraq
27/9/2004
EOHR condemns the kidnapping of six Egyptians working for the Iraquna Mobile Services Company in Iraq and calls for the Egyptian authorities to begin efforts with the Iraqi transitional government in order to secure the release of the six. The six Egyptians were working for Iraquna Mobile Services Company, a division of the Egyptian company ORASCOM Telecom headed by Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris. No group has yet declared responsibility for the kidnapping, which was announced by the Iraqi Interior Ministry on the 24th September but there are unconfirmed reports that the kidnappers have demanded a ransom in return for the hostages' release.
EOHR calls for the immediate release of the six Egyptians as well as other hostages. These people have nothing whatsoever to do with the crisis currently afflicting Iraq; they were in the country working for the interests of the Iraqi people. The Egyptian government must immediately contact governmental and religious authorities in Iraq in order to discover the identity of the group responsible for the kidnapping and the nature of their demands
EOHR also suggests that a fact-finding mission be sent to Iraq without delay and that the Egyptian government put harsh restrictions on Egyptians travelling to Iraq in the interests of their personal safety.
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