The kidnappers holding Egypt's envoy to Iraq have threatened to kill the man because they claim Egypt has allied itself with 'Jews and Christians.'
In a posting on an al-Qaeda-linked Web site, it was said that al-Qaeda's religious court handed over Ihab al-Sherif to fighters in order 'to carry out the punishment of apostasy against him.'
Under Islamic law, apostasy is punishable by death.
Al-Sherif's kidnapping is part of a series of abductions by insurgents in Iraq. They have focused on diplomats from Muslim countries in order to weaken support for the new Iraqi government.
Early on Wednesday, the Web site posted pictures of al-Sherif's identification cards to prove that al-Qaeda in Iraq had abducted the diplomat. There were five ID's displayed including al-Sherif's driver's license and an ID card from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
The statement on the website reads 'The sharia court of the al-Qaeda in Iraq organization has decided to transfer the apostate ambassador of Egypt, which has allied itself to the Jews and Christians, to the mujahedeen to carry out the punishment of apostasy against him.'
Al-Qaeda in Iraq has been responsible for the murder of many hostages, often done by beheading. In fact, many of the beheadings have allegedly been carried out by the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Al-Zarqawi is suspected of beheading American journalist Nicholas Berg.
An audiotape found on the Internet Wednesday is believed to be the voice of al-Zarqawi. In the tape, the voice promises more attacks on Iraqi government forces.
'Some say that the resistance is divided into two groups — an honorable resistance that fights the nonbeliever-occupier and a dishonorable resistance that fights Iraqis,' the speaker said. 'We announce that the Iraqi army is an army of apostates and mercenaries that has allied itself with the Crusaders and came to destroy Islam and fight Muslims. We will fight it.'
While the identity of the speaker could not be confirmed, American officials indicated that the voice on the recording sounds similar to that of al-Zarqawi when compared to prior messages received from the terrorist leader.
There are 18 Muslim countries with diplomatic representation in Iraq at the present time. Security is tight around them as the insurgents continue to seek out important people to kidnap and hold hostage.
