Iraqi Shia leader calls for release of Qatari kidnap victims

The representative of Iraq’s top Shia spiritual leader called on Friday for the release of the Qataris kidnapped in Iraq, AlKhaleeonline.com has reported.

A group of armed Iraqis kidnapped 26 Qataris in Iraq for a “hunting” trip earlier this month. The men were in a camp near the Saudi border at the time. At least nine others fled and crossed into Kuwait.

Speaking on behalf of Ayatollah Ali Sistani, his representative Ahmed Al-Safi called for the men to be released, “wherever they are.” His appeal was broadcast on Karbala TV. “We condemn politically-motivated kidnapping, including the latest incident, the victims of which were in Iraq legally.”

On Tuesday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari denied that the government had anything to do with the kidnapping.