Romanians Freed in Iraq After Two MonthsRomanian Journalists and Iraqi-Ame

[Judi Lynn]

Romanians Freed in Iraq After Two MonthsRomanian Journalists and Iraqi-American Guide Freed After Nearly Two Months in Captivity in Iraq



A man looks at the wreckage left after a car bomb detonated near a U.S. military combat patrol close to an Iraqi police station in al-Khadasia, Tikrit, 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Baghdad in Iraq Sunday, May 22, 2005. The blast wounded two Iraqi police officers and three U.S. soldiers. (AP Photo/Bassem Daham)
By ALEXANDRU ALEXE Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press

BUCHAREST, Romania May 22, 2005 — Three Romanian journalists and their Iraqi-American guide were freed Sunday after nearly two months in captivity in Iraq, the president's office said.

All four were in the custody of Romanian authorities. "They are unharmed and we will announce to the public when they will return to the country," said Adriana Saftoiu, a spokeswoman for President Traian Basescu.

The three Romanians newspaper reporter Ovidiu Ohanesian, TV reporter Marie-Jeanne Ion and cameraman Sorin Miscoci were kidnapped in Iraq on March 28, along with their Iraqi-American guide, Mohammed Monaf.

Their kidnappers had threatened to kill the hostages unless Romania pulled its 800 troops out of Iraq.
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http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=779708