US hostage Carroll freed in Iraq

Thursday, 30, Mar 2006 05:32

An American journalist who was taken hostage in Iraq in January has been freed today.

Jill Carroll, 28, a freelance journalist who was working for the US Christian Science Monitor in Iraq at the time of her capture, is currently with American forces in the heavily fortified Green Zone in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

She insisted that she was "treated very well" by her captors and was not harmed at any stage.

Details of her release are unclear, with reports suggesting she was handed over to Iraqi Islamic party officials in western Baghdad, who in turn passed her into US hands. Other reports have suggested that ransom payments were paid to her captors in order to secure her release, although US officials in Iraq have denied this.

Announcing Ms Carroll's release, Richard Bergenheim, editor of the Christian Science Monitor said he "couldn't be happier".

"We are so pleased she'll be back with her family. The prayers of people all over the world have been answered."

US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, who is currently on a state visit to Germany, also welcomed the news, telling a press conference in Berlin: "This is something that people across the world have worked for and prayed for."

Ms Carroll was captured, along with her Iraqi interpreter Allan Enwiyah, by a militant group calling themselves Brigades of Vengeance on January 7th after gunmen who hijacked their car in western Baghdad. Mr Enwiyah's body was found close to the scene.

She appeared in a video message aired on Arab TV on January 30th appealing for the release of female Iraqi prisoners. Her family had received no indication as to her health or whereabouts since.

In a statement issued by the family following news of her release, they said they were "thrilled" and "relieved" at the news.

"Our hearts are full. We are elated by Jill's safe release," the statement said.

The family added: "We are very grateful for the support of the Iraqi people, who have shown such a deep compassion for Jill's situation."

US officials in Baghdad said that Ms Carroll will remain in Baghdad overnight and return to the US to be reunited with her family "soon".

Her release comes a week after the release of three western hostages working for another Christian organisation in Iraq, including Briton Norman Kember.