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Iraqi kidnappers claim British hostage has killed himself

By Jon Kaila, sundaymirror.co.uk 20/07/2008

Iraq Hostages (Pic: SM)

A British hostage held in Baghdad for more than a year has killed himself, his Iraqi kidnappers claimed last night.

In a videotape statement, they claim the Brit called Jason committed suicide two months ago.

Another of the hostages is seen making a heartbreaking appeal, saying: "Physically, I'm not doing well. Psychologically, I'm doing a lot worse. I want to see my family again."

The kidnappers claim in the video that Jason died on May 25 - four days before the first anniversary of the abduction of him and four others.

It was not possible last night to verify the claims.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Clearly this is a very distressing development. We are taking this very seriously.

"There are many people working behind the scenes trying to find a solution. I raised the case of these men with Iraq's Prime Minister Maliki.

"We both share a desire to see them returned safely to their families. I call on those holding the hostages to release them immediately and unconditionally."

According to the Sunday Times, an intermediary who handed the video to its representative said the hostage known as Jason had attempted suicide on two previous occasions.

Proof of his death would be provided only if the British Government agreed to negotiate, he said.

The video, entitled Intihar - Arabic for suicide - opens with a photograph of a man identified as Jason in the militants' statement, which appears on screen in Arabic.

The five Britons - a computer expert and four bodyguards - were seized at the Iraqi finance ministry by about 40 gunmen wearing police uniforms.

They were driven away in a convoy of 19 four-wheel-drive vehicles towards Sadr City.

Their kidnapping was claimed to be in retaliation for the killing by British troops of the Shia miiiltia's commander in Basra, southern Iraq, a week earlier.

Two of the hostages are called Jason and two are named Alan and Alec. Their full names have been withheld at the families' request.