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Iraq hostages 'freed by police' | Iraq hostages 'freed by police' |
(10 minutes later) | |
All of the hostages seized in a raid by gunmen on a Baghdad higher education facility have been released, Iraqi officials say. | |
A government spokesman told the BBC that about 40 hostages had been freed in a number of police operations. | A government spokesman told the BBC that about 40 hostages had been freed in a number of police operations. |
Gunmen dressed in uniforms similar to those worn by Iraqi police abducted dozens of people. | Gunmen dressed in uniforms similar to those worn by Iraqi police abducted dozens of people. |
Five top officers were later arrested - including the police chief of Karrada district where the abductions occurred. | Five top officers were later arrested - including the police chief of Karrada district where the abductions occurred. |
About 20 of the abductees had been released earlier on Tuesday evening. | About 20 of the abductees had been released earlier on Tuesday evening. |
The rest of the hostages were said to have been freed shortly before midnight in Baghdad (2100 GMT), according to interior ministry spokesman Wafiq al-Sammarai. | The rest of the hostages were said to have been freed shortly before midnight in Baghdad (2100 GMT), according to interior ministry spokesman Wafiq al-Sammarai. |
Initial estimates had suggested that more than 100 people had been seized, but that was later revised down throughout the day. | Initial estimates had suggested that more than 100 people had been seized, but that was later revised down throughout the day. |