Web Site Claims GI Captured in Iraq

My Way News ^ | February 1, 2005 | ROBERT H. REID

[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.

[DarthDilbert]

After hearing for the umpteenth time about this "breaking story" I just called my local radio station (WHIO - 1290 AM) and advised them that this was a hoax.

"Uh, no it isn't."

"Sir, it's been established over the course of the afternoon that it's fake."

"Not according to the Associated Press."

"You mean the same AP that lied when they said that the crowd cheered when they learned about Clinton's hospitalization at a Bush rally?"

"Uh...well..."

<click>

[BlackRain]

Coming from a military family, I was happy to pass along the pictures showing the hoax.

I know that many American's had a knot in their stomach worrying if it was their husband/dad/brother/uncle/grandpa who was captured.

I find it strange that the professional media types have not seen fit to correct the story and calm the nerves of many families who still believe it is a real story.

P.S. Strangely, I was in my pajamas when I posted the pictures as today is my day off. -- Blackrain

[Peach]

LOL. Watch the rest of the networks just take it off their web sites. They'll never admit they were HAD.

[BlessedByLiberty]

Agreed. In fact, if anyone watches Hissy Matthews tonight, please let us know if he discusses this. Perhaps someone will forward him a copy of the picture and let him go off.

He'd finally have his bad news for the week.

Shh...don't tell him it's a hoax, it'll be our little secret.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

We must not rest until all of our action figures are home safely!

[MEG33]

Ping to pictures..#210

[RoseofTexas]

WHAT?!! We need to straighten them right up!! Drudge should not get the credit!! DAMN! E-mail time!!

[silent_jonny]

It's even funnier the 2nd time! LOL!! :-)

And spelled correctly!

[Not A Snowbird]

I just checked on my beanie babies... they could be next!

[lonevoice]

P.S. Strangely, I was in my pajamas when I posted the pictures as today is my day off. -- Blackrain

How very fitting. :-)

[Master of Orion]

MSNBC also credited Drudge as the first one to pick up on this.

[SC Swamp Fox]

Blackrain is not taking credit.

>>>>>>>>>>>
Disclaimer - Just to be clear. I, Blackrain, can not take credit for this find. I found it here - I read about myself here:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=37038&start=48

135 posted on 02/01/2005 2:56:27 PM EST by BlackRain
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[Not A Snowbird]

So, will Drudge admit he wasn't first? (Purely rhetorical question.)

[Dog]

No.....he will eat up the face time on Fox.

[BlessedByLiberty]

"LOL. Watch the rest of the networks just take it off their web sites. They'll never admit they were HAD."

To quote Dick Cheney "Big Time!" :)

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" Terrorists playing with dolls."

And declaring war against the US " Infidolls."

[Bigh4u2]

Whether this photo was fake or not, is not the point, when it comes to the MSM.

Talk about being 'insensitive' to the families by posting a photo of a soldier before the family can be notified by the military.

This is just plain absurd and unconscionable!

I'm glad, at least this time, it's a fake.

[BlackRain]

Just to be clear. As soon as I posted on FR; I posted an message to Drudge in his "News Tips" form with a link to the photos.

[madison10]

Add ketchup & you'd have a deal. Where are they gonna find terrorist dolls to stand around him? Mohammed's'R Us?

[lonevoice]

That's true. But, it was due to BlackRain's quick heads up to FR that the link to this thread ended up going to Matt Drudge. It was after Drudge got the word from FR that he changed his own headline to reflect the hoax.