Mosul, Iraq (AINA) -- A headless body of a man was discovered by Iraqi security forces on Thursday, September 23 in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. The victim's head was recovered a few meters from body. Authorities identified the man as Bassam Sabri, an Assyrian Christian. The funeral for Bassam Sabri was held on Saturday, September 25th at the local Christian cemetery in Mosul under the watchful eye of the new Iraqi police forces. The victim was abducted for unknown reasons over a week ago from his toy shop in the industrial district of Mosul, near the state university.

It is believed that the abductors assumed that Mr. Sabri worked as a translator for the multi-national forces. Civilians working for the multinational forces have come under increasing attacks by insurgents.

According to Ankawa.com, Mr. Sabri was a native of Nineveh, in his mid-thirties, and married with one daughter.