Freed hostages facing rescue bill

The Japanese hostages released in Iraq last week will be charged for plane tickets and other expenses related to their safe return, the Foreign Ministry said today.

The ministry intends to charge the five civilians – who were released unharmed by their captors last week – for the cost of their plane fares back to Japan and other expenses related to their captivity “as appropriate,” a ministry official said. Three have returned already, and the two others were expected to arrive in Japan tomorrow.