Fate of the abducted Italian journalist isn’t known

Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, 56, was kidnapped on Friday by &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/hotspots/2002/06/20/30771.html ' target=_blank>gunmen who blocked her car outside Baghdad University. Sgrena is a veteran reporter for the communist daily Il Manifesto.

A group calling itself the &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/hotspots/2002/12/20/41078.html' target=_blank>Islamic Jihad Organisation has claimed to have kidnapped her and has given Italy 72 hours to withdraw its troops from Iraq. But it made no threats to kill her or say what would happen if its demands were not met.

Today’s statement, released in the same group’s name, described Sgrena as an "Italian POW," and said her fate "will be announced by us in the near future", reports the Scotsman.