UN Employee Kidnapped In Eastern Iraq

A local UN staffer has been abducted by gunmen in the eastern Iraqi province of Diyala.

UN spokeswoman Eliana Nabaa said on April 28 that the man was kidnapped near government headquarters in the provincial capital, Baqouba.

A local security official speaking on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press news agency that the UN employee was forced out of his car and kidnapped in broad daylight.

The victim’s brother said that the family received a $100,000 ransom demand for his release.

Kidnappings for money or political ends are common in Iraq.

The Iraqi military said in January that its forces had "liberated" the Diyala Province from Islamic State militants.

Based on reporting by AP