Tape shows kidnapped pair in Iraq

Arabic-language satellite television stations showed videotape today of two men – an Egyptian and a Turk – saying they had been kidnapped in Iraq and were being threatened with execution.

Masked men seen on the grainy, black-and-white footage said they would try the men according to Islamic law.

The Al-Arabiya announcer said the two men had been accused of treason. Part of the tape was also aired on Al-Jazeera television from Cairo.

The Egyptian was quoted as saying that he was transporting goods for the US army. He held what appeared to be his identity papers.

Al-Jazeera’s announcer said that the kidnappers demanded the Egyptian and Turkish governments condemn actions, such as working for the US army, in order to secure their release.