Kidnappers gave Hultz about $1,000, his personal belongings and a Quran before releasing him

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/american-who-was-released-after-9-months-with-iraqi-militia-was-not-working-for-us-government/2012/03/18/gIQACKlqKS_story.html

American who was released after 9 months with Iraqi militia was not working for US government

By Associated Press, Updated: Sunday, March 18, 1:47 PMAP

BAGHDAD — The American who was released this week after being held captive nine months by an anti-U.S. militia was working alone in Iraq and was not on a government contract, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said Sunday.

The man identified as Randy Michael Hultz had been described as both a U.S. soldier and a contractor by Shiite lawmakers who turned him over to United Nations diplomats. His sudden appearance stunned U.S. Embassy officials who did not even know he was in Iraq, much less gone missing. snip

Another senior Sadrist politician, Abdul-Hadi al-Matiri, said the kidnappers gave Hultz about $1,000 to buy an airplane ticket, his personal belongings and a Quran before he was released.

He said Hultz was the sole survivor of an attack on a security patrol. His account could not be immediately verified.

[Ian David]

1. They also gave him an Oral B toothbrush, a 6-pack of RC Cola, and an issue of Dynamite magazine. n/t