Mosul, Iraq (AINA) -- The kidnappers of two priests have not released their captives, as was reported earlier by AINA. An undisclosed ransom had been negotiated and agreed upon, but the kidnappers reneged on the agreement and are now demanding more money. Officials have indicated that negotiations with the kidnappers are ongoing.

The continued and increasing kidnapping of priests in Iraq, without any government intervention to investigate these occurrences nor have any steps been taken to identify those responsible, has led to the exodus of priests from Mosul and Baghdad and the hemorrhaging of the Assyrian Christian communities from these areas.