Posted on 02/01/2005 11:22:09 AM PST by Peach
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraqi militants claimed in a Web statement Tuesday to have taken an American soldier hostage and threatened to behead him in 72 hours unless the Americans release Iraqi prisoners.
The posting, on a Web site that frequently carried militants' statements, included a photo of what appeared to be an American soldier in desert fatigues seated with his hands tied behind his back.
A gun barrel was pointed at his head, and he is seated in front of a black banner emblazoned with the Islamic profession of faith, "There is no god but God and Muhammad is His prophet."
A U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, Marine Sgt. Salju K. Thomas, said he had no information on the claim but "we are currently looking into it."
A statement posted with the picture suggested the group was holding other soldiers.
"Our mujahadeen heroes of Iraq's Jihadi Battalion were able to capture American military man John Adam after killing a number of his comrades and capturing the rest," said the statement, signed by the "Mujahedeen Brigades."
"God willing, we will behead him if our female and male prisoners are not released from U.S. prisons within the maximum period of 72 hours from the time this statement has been released," the statement said.
The claim, carried on the Web site ansarnet.ws, could not be verified.
More than 180 foreigners have been kidnapped in the past year. At least 10 of them, including three American civilians, remain in the hands of their kidnappers.
The only American soldier known to have been taken hostage is Pfc. Keith M. Maupin, 20, of Batavia, Ohio, who was shown in a video in April being held by militants. Another video aired in June showed what purported to be Maupin's slaying, but the picture was too unclear to confirm it was him and the military still lists him as missing.
Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun went missing in Iraq in June and later photos surfaced on Arab television showing him blindfolded with a sword to his head. In July he made his way to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. Back in the United States, he said he had been captured, but in December he was charged with desertion for the incident.
Good Job sleuthing!</p> Kudos to you! Drudge has added it to his site. As much money he makes he should pay you for your work. At least I give you a pat on the back, good job.
For the cable impaired, what is CNN saying? Their website is still reporting the kidnapping.
Sprite | Nose > Keyboard
"I wouldn't be surprised if they pull the doll's head off, lay it beside the body, and claim they beheaded him.
With some ketchup for effect.........
But looking at the desperation of these terrorists now, I bet they leave the bottle in the frame..."
Perhaps someone on this side of the pond should post some staged doll pics showing Abdula the Terrorist with his head loped off lying in a pit with little pig pieces parts and ketchup liberally applied for effect.
Wouldn't that Pi@@ them off, or is that too "harsh"?
LOL!!!!!
did CNN report the doll story or the fake story?
Oh my God ... they have already beheaded him!!!
The face of the alleged captive and the face of the doll are identical. However, it's at least possible that a photo of the doll's face was superimposed over a figure of a real man to make this hoax look a bit more realistic. Hard to tell without something that would give us a better sense of perspective. But no question it is a hoax.
LMAO!!
Good eye. That's definitely a cinder block.
His capture is still being reported on Foxnews.com.
That's what they will report, right? They didn't ACTUALLY say that? Did they? Not that I put it past them. LOL
Oh my God, They beheaded Kenny. YOU BASTARDS!
From what I can gather, CNN is still reporting the orignal story of a serviceman captured. They are not aware of the hoax as of yet.
The MSM busted by the pajamahadeen once again! Congrats!
LOL! I almost spit my Pepsi at my screen!
He was scooped by FR, and the time stamps will prove it...congrats to all of you who were on it....proud to know you.
I had my 14 year old daughter look at the picture without telling her anything about it and the first thing out of her mouth was "That's a doll."
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