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Athletes' remains found in Iraq | Athletes' remains found in Iraq |
(30 minutes later) | |
The decomposed bodies of 13 members of an Iraqi taekwondo team seized a year ago have been found, officials say. | The decomposed bodies of 13 members of an Iraqi taekwondo team seized a year ago have been found, officials say. |
Fifteen members of the team had been abducted last May in Anbar province, an al-Qaeda stronghold west of Baghdad, on their way to a training camp in Jordan. | Fifteen members of the team had been abducted last May in Anbar province, an al-Qaeda stronghold west of Baghdad, on their way to a training camp in Jordan. |
The bodies were found in western Iraq, near the town of Ramadi. Two of the team are still missing. | The bodies were found in western Iraq, near the town of Ramadi. Two of the team are still missing. |
In the past two years many Iraqi sports officials have been seized in sectarian attacks or held for ransom. | In the past two years many Iraqi sports officials have been seized in sectarian attacks or held for ransom. |
Olympic hopes | Olympic hopes |
Members of the Sunni Anbar Salvation Council, a group fighting al-Qaeda in the province, found the remains of the 13 taekwondo team members, Iraqi police said. | Members of the Sunni Anbar Salvation Council, a group fighting al-Qaeda in the province, found the remains of the 13 taekwondo team members, Iraqi police said. |
We were hoping that we would see them alive and competing for their country in international championships Hussein al-ObeidiIraq Olympic Committee | We were hoping that we would see them alive and competing for their country in international championships Hussein al-ObeidiIraq Olympic Committee |
The remains - including bones, skulls and shreds of uniforms - were taken to Imam Ali Hospital in the Shia neighbourhood of Sadr City, Baghdad. | The remains - including bones, skulls and shreds of uniforms - were taken to Imam Ali Hospital in the Shia neighbourhood of Sadr City, Baghdad. |
DNA tests will be used to identify the athletes, a hospital official told Associated Press news agency. | DNA tests will be used to identify the athletes, a hospital official told Associated Press news agency. |
The athletes were members of a club that aimed to send competitors to the Olympics, Hussein al-Obeidi, secretary-general of Iraq's National Olympic Committee, told AP. | The athletes were members of a club that aimed to send competitors to the Olympics, Hussein al-Obeidi, secretary-general of Iraq's National Olympic Committee, told AP. |
Many athletes and sports officials have been abducted in Iraq | |
"We were hoping that we would see them alive and competing for their country in international championships," Mr Obeidi said. | "We were hoping that we would see them alive and competing for their country in international championships," Mr Obeidi said. |
Hundreds of mourners gathered in Sadr City on Saturday at a funeral procession for the athletes, who will be buried in the Shia holy city of Najaf. | Hundreds of mourners gathered in Sadr City on Saturday at a funeral procession for the athletes, who will be buried in the Shia holy city of Najaf. |
Last year, an Iraqi international football referee, a member of the Iraqi Olympic football team and a national volleyball player were abducted. | Last year, an Iraqi international football referee, a member of the Iraqi Olympic football team and a national volleyball player were abducted. |
Iraq's national wrestling coach was killed in Baghdad, while 30 other Iraqi sports officials, including the chairman of Iraq's Olympic Committee, were also seized from a sports conference in Baghdad. | Iraq's national wrestling coach was killed in Baghdad, while 30 other Iraqi sports officials, including the chairman of Iraq's Olympic Committee, were also seized from a sports conference in Baghdad. |
Some were victims of sectarian attacks or held for ransom, others were targeted by radical Islamists who disapproved of their activities. | Some were victims of sectarian attacks or held for ransom, others were targeted by radical Islamists who disapproved of their activities. |
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