Kidnapped reporter rescued by chance in Iraq (Brit Freelancer)

SFGATE ^ | Friday, January 13, 2006 | Anna Badkhen

[csvset]

Baghdad -- The day after Christmas, as reporter Phil Sands was driving to an interview in a desolate Baghdad neighborhood, two luxury sedans suddenly blocked the way, forcing Sands' driver to stop.

About 10 men in ski-masks and AK-47 rifles piled out and swarmed around his car. Sands' translator and driver got out. The masked men pushed them to the ground and handcuffed them. When Sands got out of the car, the men pulled his wool hat down onto his eyes, handcuffed him, stuffed him into the trunk of one of the cars, and sped off.

Sands recalled thinking, "I'm dead. From this moment on, I'm dead."

The 28-year-old reporter, whose story has not been known until now, was lucky enough to live and tell the tale. But his kidnapping reflects the perilous existence of many Iraqis and non-Iraqis alike almost three years after the U.S.-led invasion.

More than 400 foreigners and more than 30 journalists have been abducted since March 2003; many have been killed. Thousands of Iraqis have also been kidnapped. Numerous Westerners remain in captivity, including Jill Carroll, an American reporter and sometime Chronicle contributor who was kidnapped Jan. 7, and four members of the activist group Christian Peacemaker Teams, who were abducted late last year.

Sands, who writes regularly for the Chronicle, has been covering the Iraq conflict since February 2003, one month before the war began. He had made 10 or 11 trips back since: "You get to know things, you get to care about the country, care about the people, you go back," he said.

Like the majority of Western journalists in Iraq, Sands almost always "embedded" with the U.S. or British military.

[csvset]

This guy is lucky to be alive.

[vbmoneyspender]

You know, I read that whole story and I didn't see one line in there about him thanking the American troops who saved him. Can't say I'm surprised though.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

"They said: 'Welcome home, we didn't know you'd gone missing,' " Sands said.

This is one of those few times when an implanted tracking chip might come in handy.

[phoenix0468]

Just two questions. Why hadn't he reported to his colleagues or the British Embassy who he was going to interview and where he may be found if he did not return? And, why does this he sound so sympathetic to the terrorists but makes the soldiers sound callous and ultra aggressive? I think this guy is pinko and may have staged this incident for his own press. I wouldn't put it past one of these antiwar wackos.

[cookcounty]

"More than 400 foreigners and more than 30 journalists have been abducted since March 2003; many have been killed. "

Odd how few American journalists have been killed, considering it is so "very very very dangerous." Maybe Al-Qaeda doesn't want to kill the geese that lay the golden eggs in this war for the hearts and minds of the American elites..

[VeniVidiVici]

Sounds like we got some pretty good intel going over there. Of course, listening to the Pelosi Dems, one would never know it.

[Canard]

"Odd how few American journalists have been killed, considering it is so "very very very dangerous." Maybe Al-Qaeda doesn't want to kill the geese that lay the golden eggs in this war for the hearts and minds of the American elites.."

Al Qaeda don't care who they kill, funnily enough. If you check the lists of those killed, you'll find that the vast majority were Iraqi. The obvious reason being that they are the ones who actually live and work in the 'very very dangerous' areas. Most western journalists rarely venture outside the Baghdad green zone, without the security of a military unit with them.

[AmericaUnited]

This is one of those few times when an implanted tracking chip might come in handy.

You would think this would be SOP. Why not?!

[endthematrix]

"And, why does this he sound so sympathetic to the terrorists but makes the soldiers sound callous and ultra aggressive?"

My sentiments eggzactly!

[Reaganwuzthebest]

You would think this would be SOP.

In that part of the world with all the kidnappings going on it ought it to be SOP.

[csvset]

I think this guy is pinko and may have staged this incident for his own press.

Possibly.

They said: 'What the f -- ?'

Understandable, since no one knew he was missing they weren't expecting to find him there.

U.S. troops arrested everyone else in the house, including Sands' translator and driver, who also were being held there, said Sands.

British security services put him up at a hotel and questioned him for the next seven days about his time in captivity, asking him detailed questions about his kidnapping and his captors.

If the reporter's a hoaxer, he'll be found out.

[phoenix0468]

I'm getting extremely speculative with these "hostages" who are getting kidnapped, agree to film some sympathetic and pathetic video with apparent knowledge that they will eventually be executed, then are either found or let go. One incident in particular is the guy from the U.S. who "escaped" from his captors and was found by U.S. troops. His escape seems a bit questionable.

If I were one of those prisoners I would tell the terrorists that the only video I would make is asking the troops to be sure to leave none of the bastards alive after they kill me.

[Revolting cat!]

The lad sounds like a good egg!

[Dave thA]

http://www.liberty1st.org/blog/PermaLink,guid,69bab724-d7fc-4a19-bd7e-5cec8391b090.aspx

I believe he was a human shield from 2003 - Remember those useful idiots?

[csvset]

I sent an e-mail to the Chronicle's reporter along with the link to Peace News, asking if he's the one and the same. I'll let you know what the answer is.