CHICAGO — Three of four Christian peace activists abducted in Iraq have been freed from captivity, according to the organization under whose aegis they traveled to the war-torn country. Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) learned early March 23 that British Baptist Norman Kember, 74; and Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, were free.
But the body of the fourth, presumably executed by those who abducted him and his colleagues, returned to his native United States March 13 in preparation for burial.
The body of Tom Fox, 54, arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware and was released to his family. At press time, no information was available about burial plans, but several memorial services were held in his honor. Fox, the lone American among the four who had been held captive since Nov. 26, 2005, was found dead in Baghdad March 9.
Meanwhile CPT said it will continue its work in the country. The kidnappers had demanded the release of all Iraqis detained by U.S. and British forces and Iraqi police in exchange for the four hostages’ lives.
Fox and the other activists had opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq, as well as the detainment of Iraqi prisoners who have not been formally charged with crimes.
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