January 03, 2007

Video of American Civilian Hostages in Iraq

A new video has emerged of four Americans and an Austrian held hostage in Iraq. The video is posted below.

As always, we demand their unconditional safe release. The group holding the hostages is a little knows Shiite group calling itself "Mujahideen of Jerusalem Company." The hostages work for "Crescent Security" which provides convoy protection for civilian trucking from Kuwait to Iraq. AP:

"My name is John R. Young," one captive in a blue and white sweat suit said in the video. "I'm 44 years old. I'm from Kansas City, Missouri. The date is 21 December, 2006. I'm well, my friends are well, we've been treated well."

Another man identified himself as Jon Cote of Buffalo, N.Y. Fidgeting and appearing uncomfortable, he said: "I can't be released until the prisoners from the American jails and the British jails are released."...

Four of the captives were seen sitting alone and cross-legged on a carpet, with a black sheet hanging behind them. The video only showed the upper body of the fifth man, who identified himself as Paul Johnson Reuben of Buffalo, Minn., which is near Minneapolis. Reuben said the date is Dec. 22, 2006, and that he wanted his family to know he was being treated well.

Another man with a beard and a mustache identified himself as Bert Nussbaumer, an Austrian citizen working for Crescent Security.

Another captive identified himself as Josh Munz, 23, of Redding, Calif.

"I joined the Marine Corps in 2001, and I got out in 2005," Munz says. "After I got out of the Marine Corps, I went to work in the construction business, building swimming pools. After that, in July of 2006, I started working for Crescent Security out of Kuwait, and I don't know how long I've been here doing this, but today is December 21, 2006."

More: Complete Jawa Report Hostage Archive
Kidnapped Security Contractors Alive: Video emerges
Austrian Hostage Identified
Friend Of Hostage Paul Reuben Speaks Out
Terrorists with Ties to Iran Claim Western Hostage Taking
Four Americans Kidnapped in Iraq, Austrian Civilian Killed

John Young

Johnathon Cote

Bert Nussbaumer

Josh Munz

Paul Reuben