Menu
15/04/2004
Italian hostage murdered in Iraq
An Italian civilian contractor, who was being held hostage by an Iraqi resistance group, has been executed, it has been reported today.
Graphic evidence of the murder of 36-year-old Fabrizio Quattrocchi was contained in a videotape sent to the Arabic-language news broadcaster Al Jazeera yesterday. Mr Quattrocchi died after being shot in the back of the neck with a pistol.
The Qatar-based news broadcaster, which was criticised during the Iraq war for airing pictures of dead US servicemen, said that it would not broadcast the tape as it was "too bloody".
Al Jazeera said that it had also been sent a statement accompanying the tape from a group calling itself the Green Brigade.
According to the statement, published on the company's website Aljazeera.net, the group said that it carried out the murder "in order to teach a lesson for those who are involved [in the occupation of Iraq]".
The statement urged Italians to reject the occupation, and concluded with the vow to kill the remaining three Italian hostages "one by one".
The Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said that the killing of Fabrizio Quattrocchi would not deflect his government's search for peace in Iraq. The Italian foreign minister described the Green Brigade as "bandits".
The Italian defence minister, Antonio Martini, has said that the government – through diplomatic and intelligence efforts – was doing its "very best" to save the remaining hostages.
There are at least 40 other hostages – among them contract workers, journalists and aid workers – being held by armed groups. Mr Quattrocchi was the first hostage to have been executed by Iraqis.
(gmcg)
Graphic evidence of the murder of 36-year-old Fabrizio Quattrocchi was contained in a videotape sent to the Arabic-language news broadcaster Al Jazeera yesterday. Mr Quattrocchi died after being shot in the back of the neck with a pistol.
The Qatar-based news broadcaster, which was criticised during the Iraq war for airing pictures of dead US servicemen, said that it would not broadcast the tape as it was "too bloody".
Al Jazeera said that it had also been sent a statement accompanying the tape from a group calling itself the Green Brigade.
According to the statement, published on the company's website Aljazeera.net, the group said that it carried out the murder "in order to teach a lesson for those who are involved [in the occupation of Iraq]".
The statement urged Italians to reject the occupation, and concluded with the vow to kill the remaining three Italian hostages "one by one".
The Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said that the killing of Fabrizio Quattrocchi would not deflect his government's search for peace in Iraq. The Italian foreign minister described the Green Brigade as "bandits".
The Italian defence minister, Antonio Martini, has said that the government – through diplomatic and intelligence efforts – was doing its "very best" to save the remaining hostages.
There are at least 40 other hostages – among them contract workers, journalists and aid workers – being held by armed groups. Mr Quattrocchi was the first hostage to have been executed by Iraqis.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 July 2014
Final UK Stage Of Tour de France Underway
The final stage of the Tour de France to be held in the UK got underway this morning in Cambridge. The 197 riders will follow a 96-mile route from Cambridge to London, with the winner of the stage expected to reach the city before 16:00 today. The projected timings for today's stage are: 12:15 : Cambridge.
Final UK Stage Of Tour de France Underway
The final stage of the Tour de France to be held in the UK got underway this morning in Cambridge. The 197 riders will follow a 96-mile route from Cambridge to London, with the winner of the stage expected to reach the city before 16:00 today. The projected timings for today's stage are: 12:15 : Cambridge.
30 April 2012
Red Cross Had Been Negotiating Murdered Hostage's Release
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said it was in negotiations to free a kidnapped UK aid worker before he was murdered. 60-year-old Khalil Dale was kidnapped in Quetta, Pakistan, in January. His body was found in the same town on Sunday.
Red Cross Had Been Negotiating Murdered Hostage's Release
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said it was in negotiations to free a kidnapped UK aid worker before he was murdered. 60-year-old Khalil Dale was kidnapped in Quetta, Pakistan, in January. His body was found in the same town on Sunday.
03 June 2009
'British Hostage Beheaded': Al Qaeda Claims
The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has condemned the apparent killing of a British hostage held in north Africa, by al Qaeda militants. In a statement released by Downing Street, the PM said the government had "strong reason to believe" that an Al Qaeda cell in Mali had murdered Edwin Dyer.
'British Hostage Beheaded': Al Qaeda Claims
The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has condemned the apparent killing of a British hostage held in north Africa, by al Qaeda militants. In a statement released by Downing Street, the PM said the government had "strong reason to believe" that an Al Qaeda cell in Mali had murdered Edwin Dyer.
09 December 2005
Fears grow as hostage deadline looms
There have been fresh calls for the release of four peace activists, including Briton Norman Kember, being held hostage in Iraq. Moazzam Begg, a former detainee at the Guantanamo Bay centre, has urged the kidnappers to release the hostages.
Fears grow as hostage deadline looms
There have been fresh calls for the release of four peace activists, including Briton Norman Kember, being held hostage in Iraq. Moazzam Begg, a former detainee at the Guantanamo Bay centre, has urged the kidnappers to release the hostages.
16 June 2005
Child killed in Cambodia school siege
One child, reported to be three-years-old, has been killed after a group of gunmen took over an international school in Cambodia. The siege happened at around 9:30am local time, when a group of gunmen burst into the school in Siem Reap, taking pupils and teachers hostage.
Child killed in Cambodia school siege
One child, reported to be three-years-old, has been killed after a group of gunmen took over an international school in Cambodia. The siege happened at around 9:30am local time, when a group of gunmen burst into the school in Siem Reap, taking pupils and teachers hostage.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy start with patchy mainly light rain, but becoming brighter through the day as the rain turns more showery, the best of any sunnier spells in the south. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:A few bright spells at first and any showers gradually dying out. Low cloud and mist or drizzle over northern coastal parts will spread south to most areas overnight. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
