Thursday, September 3, 2009

Body Indentified as British Hostage



Autopsy results have identified a body handed over to British authorities in Baghdad earlier this week as Alec MacLachlan, one of five hostages held captive by Shiite militants since May 2007. Via Wales Online:
A body handed to the British authorities in Iraq is that of Alec MacLachlan, Gordon Brown confirmed tonight.

The Prime Minister announced with "deepest regret" that Mr MacLachlan’s remains had been identified.

He vowed to bring the terrorists responsible for the murder to justice and said the thoughts of the whole country were with Mr MacLachlan’s family.

Mr Brown said: "It’s with the deepest regret that the body passed to the British Embassy is now discovered to be that of Alec MacLachlan. My thoughts, and I believe the thoughts of the whole country, are with the family at this time of great grief.

"No family should have to endure what they have gone through, the loss through the hostage taking then the period of silence and not knowing what is happening and now to find that their loved one is lost."

Mr. MacLachlan was one of four bodyguards hired to protect IT specialist Peter Moore, whom was working at the Finance Ministry in Baghdad. The bodies of Jason Creswell and Jason Swindlehurst were delivered to the British in June of this year. The British government reported in July that it believed Mr. McLachlan and fellow hostage Alan McMenemy were dead, although they could not confirm it at the time. There is no word yet on the fate of Mr. Moore.

It is heartbreaking to see this tragic conclusion to the ordeal that these men and their families have suffered through for so long. We pray for the comfort and consolation of Mr. MacLachlan's family and loved ones, and continue to pray for the families of the other men who lost their lives. Please continue to pray for all the hostages still held in captivity throughout the world.

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