Skip to main content

Possible body of British hostage handed over in Iraq

  • Story Highlights
  • Yet to confirm body was Briton taken hostage in Iraq two years ago
  • British Foreign Secretary confirmed body passed on by Iraqi authorities
  • David Miliband: Specialists in Baghdad will now undertake forensic examinations
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

LONDON, England (CNN) -- A body that may be that of a Briton taken hostage in Iraq two years ago has been handed over to Iraqi authorities, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband announced Wednesday.

"Earlier today, the Iraqi authorities received a body which they believe, but cannot at this stage confirm, is one of the British hostages taken in Baghdad on 29 May 2007," Miliband said in a written statement.

"The Iraqi authorities passed the body to British officials this afternoon.

"We cannot yet definitively confirm either that this is the remains of one of the hostages, or which one. UK specialists in Baghdad will now undertake forensic examinations to identify the body without delay," he said.

Five British men were seized in Baghdad in the May 2007 incident. The bodies of two have been recovered.

In July, Prime Minister Gordon Brown told the families of two of the other hostages that he thought they were dead. British officials hope the fifth man, Peter Moore, is still alive.

  • E-mail
  • Save
  • Print