Kidnapped Australiann journalist released unharmed in Baghdad

An Australian journalist was held hostage in Baghdad for 24 hours over the weekend before being released unharmed, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said today.

The man, whose identity was not released, is the first Australian confirmed as having been held hostage in Iraq.

Downer said the man was in good condition and had requested the details surrounding his detention, including his name, not be released until he had left Iraq.

“In this particular case the journalist went out to investigate a story, I understand, and went to a part of Baghdad he was advised not to go to, but he went there anyway. He was detained, but just for 24 hours and subsequently has been released,” Downer said.

The journalist was reportedly headed for Jordan.