September 14, 2005
A video has emerged of the Lebanese-Cypriot employee of an alcohol distribution company taken hostage in Iraq nearly three weeks ago. Images from the video are posted below. The video may be downloaded here (see Sept. 12, first link).
The man, Garabet Jean Jekerjian, can be seen in the video wearing a Corona shirt and shorts and pleads for his company, Geto Trading Ltd. which operates out of Cyprus, to leave Iraq.
The company announced today that it was caving to the terrorists' demands and is ceasing all operations in Iraq.
The terror organization, calling itself The Group for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice had released a video Sunday threatening to kill Jekerjian unless Geto pulled out. Scores of people have been murdered in Iraq by vigilante groups, both Shia and Sunni, attempting to enforce Islamic Law.
I apologize for letting this one slip under the radar screen. A description of the video and images from it follow. more...
Posted by: Rusty at
06:07 PM
| Comments (3)
| Add Comment
Post contains 545 words, total size 4 kb.
September 08, 2005
Posted by: Rusty at
01:34 PM
| Comments (4)
| Add Comment
Post contains 214 words, total size 1 kb.
September 07, 2005
Below is a reposting. Updates will be put in original post. Please link to original post. more...
Posted by: Rusty at
01:19 PM
| Comments (8)
| Add Comment
Post contains 1063 words, total size 8 kb.
UPDATE: This post to be updated throughout the day.
Update 13:19: Members of his extended family have now confirmed to me, personally, that Roy has been freed. They are elated. Family members are en route to a reunion with Roy as we speak. Thank you for your prayers and thanks to the Coalition Forces for rescuing Roy.
Many of Roy's family and friends, though, know only as much as they are being told in the media. If you have any tips about information that we are not covering, please e-mail me at mypetjawat-at-gmail-dot-com (remove 'at' and 'dot' and replace).
----
Roy Hallums was abducted on Nov. 1st along with several other foreign contractors. The U.S. state department refused to comment on whether there was an American hostage in Iraq. On Nov. 30th, The Jawa Report reported that an American hostage was being held in Iraq. On Dec. 2nd, Roy's daughter Carrie and his ex-wife Susan contacted The Jawa Report confirming that Roy was taken hostage in Iraq and clarifying his name.
Since that time we have run dozens of stories on Roy and the other forgotten hostages in Iraq. We have also tried to raise funds for the Free Roy Foundation. I have personally been in contact with the Hallums family since our initial story ran. In the last few months I have feared that Roy was dead, but every so often I would get an e-mail from Susan reminding me to keep Roy in my prayers. Her faith, and the faith of Roy's daughters and grandchildren, never waivered.
I have not heard from Susan or Carrie yet, but I expect some word in the near future. While I am not an official spokesperson for the Hallums family, I am sure that Susan and Carrie would express their many thanks for your prayers and support throughout these trying months.
Thank you Jawa Report readers and friends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
--Rusty Shackleford
-----------------------
Cnn: Is reporting that Roy Hallums has been rescued. Details later. This really is good news.
Developing.
Roy Hallums, the U.S. contractor who was kidnapped in November, is rescued in Iraq, ex-wife says. Details soon.
Hat Tip: Filthy.
Also here on FOXNEWS
"I can confirm he's been released," Susan Hallums, 53, told The Associated Press by telephone. "Considering what he's been through, I understand he's in good condition."UPDATE from Rusty: Today is one of the happiest days of my life. I'm literally crying.
Update 11:56: NYTimes, hat tip Lawhawk. It looks like Roy was freed thanks to a tip from a detainee. Guantanamo? Probably not, but Abu Ghraib is a distinct possibility:
Coalition forces acting on a tip from an Iraqi detainee Wednesday rescued American hostage Roy Hallums from an isolated farm house south of Baghdad, a military statement said. An Iraqi also was rescued....This contradicts earlier reports that Roy Hallums was being held near Fallujah, but makes much more sense.Hallums was held in a farmhouse 15 miles south of Baghdad, the statement said, adding that rescuers were tipped to his whereabouts by an unidentified Iraqi detainee.
''I want to thank all of those who were involved in my rescue -- to those who continuously tracked my captors and location, and to those who physically brought me freedom today,'' Hallums said in the military statement.
''To all of you, I will be forever grateful. Both of us are in good health and look forward to returning to our respective families. Thank you to all who kept me and my family in their thoughts and prayers.''
Related:
-The Free Roy Website, run by Roy's daughter Carrie
-Jawa Report Breaks Roy Hallums Story, Hallums family begins correspondence
-Terrorist release Roy Hallums hostage video.
-The Damned of the West Part I: Interview with the family of Roy Hallums
-The Damned of the West Part II: Interview with the family of Roy Hallums
-The Damned of the West Part III: Interview with the family of Roy Hallums
UPDATE II: More from CNN. more...
Posted by: Howie at
10:50 AM
| Comments (41)
| Add Comment
Post contains 1271 words, total size 9 kb.
120 queries taking 0.1637 seconds, 299 records returned.
Powered by Minx 1.1.6c-pink.
