Mosul, Iraq - Kidnappers of Catholic Archbishop Demand $200,000 Ransom

AFP via Babelfish translation ^ | January 18, 2005

[HAL9000]

The kidnappers of Mgr Casmoussa asked for 200.000 dollars (Misna arranges)

The kidnappers of the syriaque catholic archbishop of Mossoul, Basile George Casmoussa, 66 years, claimed a ransom of 200.000 dollars, indicated Tuesday the agency of missionnaires Misna. "the group which removed Monday the Casmoussa bishop in Mossoul took this morning a ransom of 200.000 dollars", declared in Misna the archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, head of the catholic Church chaldéenne of Mossoul.

Mgr Rahho specified that the kidnappers made speak Mgr Casmoussa on the telephone with the general vicar about his diocese.

According to Mgr Rahho, the kidnappers called Tuesday morning father Tetrus Mosei, vicar general of the diocese of Mossoul of rite syro-catholic to claim the ransom.

"the diocese is trying to collect the money necessary and could give it from here the end of the day to the kidnappers. We all wish the return of the archbishop among us ", added Mgr Rahho. According to the religious person in charge, this attack did not aim the Christians particularly.

"These groups (kidnappers, note) want to make easy money and this represents certainly the fastest way. That made two months that we did not see police officers in trimmings. These last months, there were still bombardments and attacks and it has there no serenity "in the zone, explained Mgr Rahho.

"Of the men armed circulating on board two cars attacked Mgr Casmoussa which was on the point of getting into its car in company of its driver in district Al-Chourta in Mossoul. The attackers controlled Mgr Casmoussa and threw it in the trunk of their car before escaping ", told Monday with the AFP the Faraj father, of the church chaldéenne of Mossoul.

The attackers "left the driver on the place of the attack" which proceeded with 17H00 local (14H00 GMT), one hour before the beginning of the curfew in force with Mossoul, become a nucleus of revolt, added the Faraj father.

The syriaque catholic community counts approximately 45.000 members in the area of Mossoul and Kirkouk, according to the agency vaticane Fides. They are approximately 75.000 on the whole in all Iraq, with approximately 30.000 faithful in Baghdad, according to the same source. The principal catholic community of Iraq is made up of chaldéens.

[johniegrad]

That made two months that we did not see police officers in trimmings.

Maybe that's because they were all in donut shops.

[maestro]

Time to start ringing church bells 24/7.....!!!!

[MEG33]

He has been released..Just heard it on Fox.

[Uncle George]

"He has just been released"; Now kidnapping by the murderers will become fashionable amongst terrorists of the world, no one will now be safe from these animals.