8 Chinese were stolen in Iraq

A group of Iraqi militants announced that on Tuesday it was stolen by 8 citizens of China, who allegedly worked for American troops in Iraq.

The abductors published an appeal to the Chinese government, and the Katar television channel Al-Jazeera showed footage, which captured the alleged hostages, holding their documents in their hands. Nearby stood two armed people in masks and with weapons. Judging by the hostage passports demonstrated by the TV channel, they are from 17 to 39, Reuters reports.

The abductors threatened to kill hostages for 48 hours if China does not clarify its position on the conflict in Iraq. Judging by the head scarves of militants on the film, they belong to the "movement of Islamic resistance."

A voice on the video said, in particular: "We captured these Chinese when they tried to leave Iraq. During the interrogations, it turned out that they worked for the Chinese construction company working for the Americans."

The official Chinese news agency Xinhua confirmed that Chinese citizens were really abducted. The agency reports that Chinese diplomats "take measures to save eight hostages."