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Iraq hostages Jason Swindlehurst and Jason Creswell died from gunshots, an inquest heard today.
Mr Creswell, 39, originally from Glasgow, and Mr Swindlehurst, 38, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, were working as security guards and were among a group of five Britons kidnapped in Baghdad on 29 May 2007.
A group of 40 armed men in police uniforms seized hostages, including IT worker Peter Moore, from Lincoln, and two guards identified only as Alan from Scotland and Alec from South Wales, at the Iraqi Finance Ministry.
Mr Moore was training Iraqi government employees in computer programming and was being protected by the security firm.
An inquest into the deaths of Mr Creswell and Mr Swindlehurst was opened and adjourned today at Salisbury coroner's court.
Coroner David Ridley heard evidence from DCI Mark Moles, of the Met counter terrorism command, who is leading the investigation.
The cause of death was recorded as gunshot wounds for both men.The three other hostages are still missing in Iraq.
Reader views (3)
I think you will find, Rogan, that it is the law that whenever one of Her Majesty's subjects dies abroad that an inquest must be held. Why does that cause you a problem?
- Sue R, London
if the honourable Mr blair had not taken us into a illegal war we would not be losing innocent lives where are the Weapons of mass distruction we were told about?
- Basil, bussiere poitevine 87320 france
Why are British based Coroner David Ridley and DCI Mark Moles, of the Met counter terrorism command 'investingating' deaths that happened in what is or was a war-zone, which by the way is nowhere near the UK? Unlawful killing is a pretty simple conclusion and there is zero chance of locating the perpetrators because they are enemy active insurgents.
If people want to score political points against the government then they should be up front and honest about it, not this expensive time-wasting mock-trial that serves no purpose kind of stuff.
- Rogan, Irving
