The official said two other Americans who worked as contractors for security firms still are being held by militants. He did not elaborate, and spoke only on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.
Fantastic news and I am very happy that these militants finally gave Michael up. But what I am really hoping for is that these two other American security contractors also get released. I have to think that DoS is now pressing for the release of these other two contractors now that the ice has been broken for releases.
I do not know the details behind this and if anyone knows anything about Michael or these other two security contractors, or the company they all worked for, I am all ears. What kills me is that Michael was not listed as a POW and I have no record of it. That to me is shameful, and how could the company or the government not make mention of this? Unbelievable…. –Matt
In this image taken from TV Saturday March 17, 2012, showing a man identified as Randy Michael, who is purported to be an American contractor, in Baghdad, Iraq, after he was released from captivity, handed over to the United Nations by Shiite lawmakers representing the hardline followers of anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. The United Nations mission in Iraq confirmed Saturday that it took custody of a man who was described as a U.S. citizen, who had been held captive by an Iraqi militia group for about nine months. US man captured by militia in Iraq released to UN
US man captured by militia in Iraq released to UN
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA
March 17, 2012
Wearing a U.S. Army uniform and flanked by Iraqi lawmakers, an American citizen announced Saturday that he was being released from more than nine months of imprisonment by a Shiite militia that for years targeted U.S. troops.
The man did not identify himself. But at a bizarre press conference outside the Green Zone in Baghdad, lawmakers showed U.S.-issued military and contractor ID cards that identified him as Randy Michael Hultz.
Speaking calmly and tripping over Arabic names in a monotone voice, Hultz said he was grateful for his release.
“It was explained to me that this is a gift to me, my family and to the American people who oppose the war,” he said at the press conference that was held for Iraqi media.