KIRKUK, Iraq, JULY 11, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Four Chaldean Christians kidnapped a week ago are now free.
The four hostages, all related to each other, were abducted July 4 about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Kirkuk, after escaping the Dora neighborhood where they had been receiving death threats, AsiaNews reported.
Traveling to their home village in Iraqi Kurdistan, the group was stopped by two cars full of terrorists near Emerli, the same city struck on July 7 by a violent attack that left 170 dead and 250 wounded.
All four hostages were released today through the mediation of the Chaldean Church and the sheiks of Kirkuk.
Before returning home, the four men visited Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk, who joyfully said that all the victims "thanked God and those who prayed for their deliverance."
ZE07071103 - 2007-07-11