Canadian kidnapped in Iraq shot by abductors

A Canadian-Iraqi man who returned to his homeland a year ago to start a new business has been killed by his kidnappers.

Zaid Meerwali, who had dual Canadian-Iraqi citizenship, was taken hostage two weeks ago.

His brother, Ramzi Meerwali, told CTV News Toronto that a group of men barged into Zaid's compound, claiming to be part of the government.

"They took him right from the bed," Meerwali said from Richmond Hill, a wealthy suburb of Toronto.

The 10 gunmen, disguised as police officers, hit Zaid's wife with the butt of a rifle, stole his cash and jewellery and then took him away.

The abductors called the man's family twice to arrange a $250,000 ransom. Ramzi said the family arranged to get the money, but the kidnappers stopped phoning.

Zaid was killed by a gunshot to the head, according to reports.