Iraq group threatens to kill Italians
Reuters, Dubai
Al Arabiya TV has broadcast a tape it says shows three Italians held captive in Iraq and say their captors will kill them in five days if the Italian people do not protest their country's military presence in Iraq."A group calling itself the Green Brigade said it would release them if demonstrations are organised in Italy to protest against the government's policy in Iraq," the Arabic TV channel reported on Monday, quoting a message it said it received from the kidnappers. "The group gave Italians five days to hold the protests or it will kill the hostages." Footage on Italian television indicated the three were those shown on April 13, when kidnappers demanded the withdrawal of Italian troops from Iraq. Another Italian originally held with them was later killed. "We tell you we will show good faith and free them if you sympathise with our cause, show solidarity with us and publicly reject the policy of your prime minister by staging a big protest in your capital to protest against the war. "We grant you five days after which we will kill them without any hesitation or any other warning," said the group's statement, showed by Arabiya. The tape showed three unshaven men eating a meal and wearing Arab robes.
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