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Release of Female Prisoners in Iraq Raises Hope About Kidnapped US Journalist

Posted on: Wednesday, 25 January 2006, 15:00 CST

424 Iraqi prisoners held by US forces in Iraq, including five female prisoners whose freedom was demanded as a condition for the release of American journalist Jill Carroll, will be released on Thursday.

"Five of the six women detainees will be among them. The five have completed their legal procedures, so will be released," said one spokesman, according to Reuters.

According to US officials, the women are among eight female Iraqis in US custody in Iraq for terror related activities. US officials have stressed that they do not negotiate with kidnappers.

Carroll's kidnappers had threatened to kill her by last Friday unless the US met their demands and released the women.

The journalist had been abducted on January 7 in Baghdad along with her translator, who has since been killed.

Carroll's family, along with many Muslim leaders, called for her immediate release, stressing her vocal criticism of US policy in Iraq and support for Iraqi freedom.

No public word has been released since then regarding Carroll's wellbeing.

US security forces are currently holding some 14,000 male prisoners in Iraq.

According to US officials, troops attempt to avoid the arrest of women in almost all cases, as the detention of women raises religious concern in Iraq.

Last week, the US released 500 prisoners from their custody in Iraq.

2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Source: Al Bawaba

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