U.S. Army specialist hostage reported killed

INSURGENTS in Iraq have reportedly murdered an American soldier who had been held hostage since April.

Arab television network Al-Jazeera reported US Army Specialist Keith Maupin of Batavia, Ohio, had been murdered by militants.

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I don't recall hearing about him before. I have the sense that there are any number of U.S. military hostages who haven't been reported. Like coffins, we don't get to see those reports.

Al-Jazeera aired footage of Spc Maupin sitting on the ground blindfolded, but did not show the killing. He had been shot, Al-Jazeera said.

US television networks reported the video footage showed a blindfolded Spc Maupin in a darkened room being shot in the head.

The US military was analysing the tape but had been unable to confirm the execution, a spokesman said.

Spc Maupin's parents have been told of the existence of the video, one US network reported.

Separately, insurgents are believed to be holding hostage US marine Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun, who was shown on video released on Sunday.

Let me ask you to take a moment to think about 18, 19, 20-year-old boys and girls captured and waiting for a bullet or a beheading.



If the thought of 12, 15, 17-year-old Iraqi boys and girls in jails waiting for physical torture or humiliation didn't do it for you, that is.