Iraqi Olympic National Committee chairman Ahmed al-Hijiya is still missing. From AP: “Hostage released unharmed in Baghdad” (thanks to JE):
BAGHDAD, Iraq – One of more than 30 people seized during an Iraqi Olympic Committee meeting was released blindfolded in Baghdad on Sunday, while British soldier was killed during a raid in southern Iraq.
Nashat Mahir al-Salman, 75, a former member of Iraq’s Olympic committee, was left unharmed in the capital’s Baladiyat neighborhood, Iraq’s Sport Journalist Union said. There was no word on the other hostages, including Ahmed al-Hijiya, chairman of the Olympic National Committee.
The victims were seized Saturday in a brazen daylight attack in the heart of Baghdad. Gunmen in about dozen vehicles pulled up outside the meeting and entered the conference center. They blindfolded and handcuffed participants and bodyguards, hustled them into the vehicles, and sped away. The bodies of two of the bodyguards were found later, dumped along a street.
Sunni-Shi’ite Jihad Update:
The abduction came a day after Iraq’s national wrestling team withdrew from a tournament in the United Arab Emirates; the team’s Sunni coach was killed Thursday in a Shiite district of Baghdad.
The International Olympic Committee in Geneva, Switzerland, condemned “these acts against the sport community” and called for the immediate release of the hostages.