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12/05/2004
Beheading of US hostage 'truly barbaric', says Downing Street
The beheading of a US hostage by Iraqi militants has been described by Prime Minister Tony Blair as "truly barbaric" and without justification in a civilised world.
Twenty-year-old civilian worker Nick Berg, from Pennsylvania, was captured by Iraqi militants last month and murdered on May 8. Videotaped footage of Mr Berg's murder emerged yesterday on a website linked to Al Qaeda. The tape has caused widespread revulsion in both the Middle East and in the West.
The poor-quality tape shows five hooded gunmen standing behind Mr Berg who is sitting on the floor. During the five-minute long sequence a speech is read by one of the gunmen, at the conclusion of which, Mr Berg is murdered and his severed head held up before the camera. While carrying out the murder, the hooded men shout 'Allah Akbar' – 'Allah is great'.
At a Commons lobby briefing this morning, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson said that the "barbaric act" carried out against Mr Berg would stiffen Coalition resolve to help create an Iraq in which the Iraqi people governed themselves.
It is thought that the man who carried out the murder was Abu Musab Al-Zaraqawi – a figure closely associated with Al Qeada leader Osama bin Laden.
The militant group said that they were carrying out the execution in response to the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has condemned the act as unjustifiable.
Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the MCB, said: "Islam categorically forbids the killing of innocents. The appalling abuses that have been known to have occurred at the Abu Ghurayb prison in Baghdad cannot be used as a justification for this criminal act."
(gmcg)
Twenty-year-old civilian worker Nick Berg, from Pennsylvania, was captured by Iraqi militants last month and murdered on May 8. Videotaped footage of Mr Berg's murder emerged yesterday on a website linked to Al Qaeda. The tape has caused widespread revulsion in both the Middle East and in the West.
The poor-quality tape shows five hooded gunmen standing behind Mr Berg who is sitting on the floor. During the five-minute long sequence a speech is read by one of the gunmen, at the conclusion of which, Mr Berg is murdered and his severed head held up before the camera. While carrying out the murder, the hooded men shout 'Allah Akbar' – 'Allah is great'.
At a Commons lobby briefing this morning, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson said that the "barbaric act" carried out against Mr Berg would stiffen Coalition resolve to help create an Iraq in which the Iraqi people governed themselves.
It is thought that the man who carried out the murder was Abu Musab Al-Zaraqawi – a figure closely associated with Al Qeada leader Osama bin Laden.
The militant group said that they were carrying out the execution in response to the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has condemned the act as unjustifiable.
Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the MCB, said: "Islam categorically forbids the killing of innocents. The appalling abuses that have been known to have occurred at the Abu Ghurayb prison in Baghdad cannot be used as a justification for this criminal act."
(gmcg)
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21 May 2004
Two held in Iraq over Nick Berg beheading
Two people are being held in Iraq in connection with the brutal murder of Nick Berg – a US civilian who was beheaded by militants on May 8. According to Reuters, US military command spokesperson Mark Kimmitt confirmed that four people had been arrested following a raid in Baghdad on Wednesday. Two of the detainees have since been released.
Two held in Iraq over Nick Berg beheading
Two people are being held in Iraq in connection with the brutal murder of Nick Berg – a US civilian who was beheaded by militants on May 8. According to Reuters, US military command spokesperson Mark Kimmitt confirmed that four people had been arrested following a raid in Baghdad on Wednesday. Two of the detainees have since been released.
26 September 2003
Straw pays tribute to murdered Iraqi council member
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has praised murdered Iraqi governing council member Dr Akila al Hashimi as a leading player in "the rebirth of Iraq". Dr Hashimi died earlier today following a gun attack near her home last week.
Straw pays tribute to murdered Iraqi council member
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has praised murdered Iraqi governing council member Dr Akila al Hashimi as a leading player in "the rebirth of Iraq". Dr Hashimi died earlier today following a gun attack near her home last week.
26 May 2005
Speculation follows naming of Al Qaeda deputy leader
A website statement posted on Tuesday and signed in the name of Islamist militant group Al Qaeda in Iraq has apparently claimed that the terror group have appointed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as its deputy commander. However, a subsequent statement from a spokesman for the group denied that any replacement has been named.
Speculation follows naming of Al Qaeda deputy leader
A website statement posted on Tuesday and signed in the name of Islamist militant group Al Qaeda in Iraq has apparently claimed that the terror group have appointed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as its deputy commander. However, a subsequent statement from a spokesman for the group denied that any replacement has been named.
10 February 2005
Murdered BBC Producer was 'targeted', says NUJ
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has claimed that BBC Producer Kate Peyton, who died yesterday after being shot in the Somalian capital, Mogadishu, was apparently 'targeted'. Ms Peyton, who was shot by unidentified gunmen in a taxi while on assignment in Mogadishu, died from internal bleeding despite undergoing emergency surgery.
Murdered BBC Producer was 'targeted', says NUJ
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has claimed that BBC Producer Kate Peyton, who died yesterday after being shot in the Somalian capital, Mogadishu, was apparently 'targeted'. Ms Peyton, who was shot by unidentified gunmen in a taxi while on assignment in Mogadishu, died from internal bleeding despite undergoing emergency surgery.
25 January 2005
Senior Iraqi judge shot dead in Baghdad
A senior Iraqi judge has been assassinated in eastern Baghdad today as dissident groups step up a terror campaign prior to Sunday's elections in Iraq. Judge Qais Hashim Shameri and his son were killed in a gun attack as they left their home this morning. Initial police reports indicate that their driver was also wounded in the ambush.
Senior Iraqi judge shot dead in Baghdad
A senior Iraqi judge has been assassinated in eastern Baghdad today as dissident groups step up a terror campaign prior to Sunday's elections in Iraq. Judge Qais Hashim Shameri and his son were killed in a gun attack as they left their home this morning. Initial police reports indicate that their driver was also wounded in the ambush.
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