LONDON (AP) — Two bodies handed over to British authorities in Iraq have been identified as bodyguards kidnapped in Baghdad two years ago, the government said Sunday.
The Foreign Office said the two bodies were "highly likely" those of Jason Creswell, from Glasgow, Scotland, and Jason Swindlehurst, from Skelmersdale in northwest England.
The two men worked for Canadian security firm GardaWorld and were abducted in May 2007 along with information technology consultant Peter Moore and two other bodyguards, identified only as Alan and Alec.
The five men were overpowered by armed Shiite militants outside the Finance Ministry in Baghdad, and have since been seen only in a few videotapes made by their captors.
On Saturday, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the remains of two hostages had been handed over to British officials in Baghdad, and forensic tests were being conducted to identify them.
It is unclear when and how the men died. Last year a British newspaper reported a claim by the kidnappers that one of the hostages had committed suicide, but that was never confirmed.
The Foreign Office said it continued "to do everything we can towards the safe release of the other hostages."
by the associated press
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