An American journalist has been kidnapped by a group of unknown persons in Baghdad, Iraq. The country’s interior ministry confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, with police sources telling Reuters her name was Shelley Kittelson. She was reportedly abducted on Saadoun Street, and the kidnappers pursued her south-west towards Babil province.
According to Reuters, two cars were involved, one of which crashed and the other fled with Ms Kittleson on board. The ministry said security officials have arrested one person and seized a vehicle used in the kidnapping after chasing the kidnappers. Efforts are on to find the people involved and get the journalist released.
The statement said: “The Ministry of the Interior has announced that this evening, a foreign journalist has been abducted by unknown persons.
“Security forces immediately launched an operation to arrest the criminals, acting on accurate intelligence and tracking the movements of the kidnappers through intensive field operations.
“The pursuit resulted in the interception of a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers, which overturned while attempting to flee. Security forces were able to arrest a suspect and seize one of the vehicles used in the crime.
The ministry said it would provide more details about the kidnapping later and reaffirmed its stance against attempts to “destabilize security or target foreign guests.”
It added: “The Ministry confirms that efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining perpetrators and secure the release of the abducted woman and to take appropriate legal action in accordance with the law against all those involved in this criminal act.
“The investigation is still ongoing to fully uncover the circumstances of the incident, and more information will be provided at a later date.
“The Ministry of the Interior reiterates its commitment not to allow any attempts to destabilize security or target foreign guests, and its security forces will remain vigilant and determined to pursue lawbreakers and bring them to justice.”
