Hostage freed, abductors arrested in Karbala

KARBALA / IraqiNews.com: One kidnapped person was released and his five abductors were arrested in eastern Karbala, the commander of the province’s crime elimination directorate said on Saturday. “The operation was conducted by the directorate’s forces in al-Hindiya suburb, 20 km east of Karbala city,” Lieutenant Colonel Aqeel Hadi told IraqiNews.com. “The operation relied on intelligence tips that a group kidnapped a prominent figure from the area, and demanded a ransom of 500 million Iraqis diners,” he said. “The abducted citizen was found in poor condition at a farm,” he added. The holy city of Karbala lies 110 km southwest of Baghdad. MH (P)/SR 1