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British hostage in Iraq 'commits suicide'

20/07/2008

A British man who was being held hostage in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad has killed himself, according to a video statement from his kidnappers.

The man, who is known only as Jason, was captured on May 29th and reportedly took his own life four days before the anniversary of his abduction.

The video was handed to representatives from the Sunday Times newspaper in Baghdad last week.

In it the captors say they had been "surprised" by Jason's decision to commit suicide, despite claiming he had attempted suicide twice before, and blamed the British authorities for his death.

"This procrastination and foot-dragging and lack of seriousness on the part of the British government has prolonged their psychological deterioration, pushing one of them, Jason, to commit suicide on 25/5/2008," the statement claimed.

"He surprised our brethren, who were taking care of him, with his suicide."

Jason is one of five hostages being held in Baghdad - IT consultant Peter Moore and four as-yet unidentified bodyguards were kidnapped from the Iraqi finance ministry.

A second man, known as Alan, also appeared in the video to plead for the hostages' release.

"Physically, I'm not doing well," he says in the brief clip.

"Psychologically, I'm doing a lot worse. It's not sitting well with me the idea of not seeing my family again."

Prime minister Gordon Brown, who is in Tel Aviv for talks with Israeli and Palestinian political leaders, described the latest news as "a very distressing development".

"We are taking this very seriously," he said.

"There are many people working behind the scenes trying to find a solution.

"I raised the case of these men with [Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki]. We both share a desire to see them returned safely to their families.

"I call on those holding the hostages to release them immediately and unconditionally."