Jordan Times
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Kidnappers of Jordanian
want ransom spokesperson
By Rana Husseini
AMMAN The government on Tuesday confirmed that a citizen was kidnapped Sunday
in Iraq by an armed group demanding ransom.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Rajab Sukayri said Samir Souqi, 44, the manager of
Kuwait-based Midas furniture company in Jordan, was abducted while inspecting
the Baghdad branch. We believe that there were no political motives behind his
kidnapping, Sukayri said. The abductors were after money because they
contacted the firm's headquarters demanding ransom.
Iraqi police on Sunday said six gunmen took Souqi and his driver hostage in
central Baghdad. The driver was released later, according to the Jordan News
Agency, Petra.
Sukayri told The Jordan Times that the ministry was doing its utmost to secure
the release of Souqi.
We are closely following up on the issue with the authorities in Baghdad,
Sukayri added.
Souqi frequently travelled to Iraq, a source said, adding that the father of
three has been working for Midas for eight years.
Several Jordanians have been abducted in Iraq since the downfall of Saddam
Hussein in April 2003, but most of them returned home unharmed, although in some
cases relatives paid ransom.