German computer experts kidnapped in Baghdad

Three German citizens working for a German computer company were kidnapped today from the Iraqi Finance Ministry in Baghdad, an Iraqi government official said.

The men were kidnapped by a group of gunmen who arrived at the ministry in a long convoy of white 4x4 vehicles, which are often used by police, the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Police have been accused of involvement in violence here in the past.