MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.270.0320 / 0299

May 21, 2007
Release A070521b

FIVE IRAQI HOSTAGES FREED

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Five Iraqis who were held captive and tortured by terrorists were freed Monday morning during a Coalition Forces raid on the site where they were imprisoned.

Coalition Forces targeted the building northeast of Karmah during continued operations to disrupt the al-Qaeda network operating in the area.  After a thorough search of the building, ground forces found a padlocked room.  Inside were four men and a boy who had been kidnapped and severely beaten with chains, cables and hoses.  The four captives also showed signs of torture, and the boy stated the terrorists had hooked electrical wires to his tongue and shocked him.

Coalition Forces evacuated the five individuals and provided treatment for their injuries.  The hostages indicated their captors were foreign fighters who spoke with different accents.  The hostages, who are from different tribes, will be turned over to their respective tribal leaders for repatriation.

“The brutality and viciousness of these acts demonstrate the complete disregard terrorists have for human life,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.  “We will continue to hunt foreign fighters who bring this violence into Iraq.” 
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