NICHOLAS
BERG – U.S.CITIZEN
SLAIN IN IRAQ
This is in response
to numerous press inquires regarding the FBI’s
involvement in the Iraqi Police detention of Nicholas Berg. On 5/11/04,
a video was posted on an Islamic militant website showing the beheading
of Nicholas Berg. The video showed five men wearing headscarves and
black ski masks standing over a bound man in orange clothing who identified
himself as Nicholas Berg. After reading a statement, the masked men
were seen pulling Mr. Berg to his side and he was brutally murdered.
On 03/25/04, the U.S. military notified FBI Agents in Iraq that the
Iraqi Police had detained a U.S. person in Mosul, Iraq. The U.S. person
was identified as Nicholas Evan Berg. Mr. Berg had been detained by
Iraqi Police who then notified the U.S. military.
Mr. Berg was
interviewed by FBI Agents at an Iraqi Police Station in Mosul, Iraq,
while in
the custody of the Iraqi Police. Mr. Berg
told Agents that he had entered Iraq through Jordan for the purpose
of establishing working relationships and to acquire contracts for
his business. After a thorough review of records, the FBI relayed to
the U.S. military and the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) that
no derogatory information was developed about Mr. Berg that would warrant
further detention by the Iraqi Police. During interviews with Mr. Berg,
FBI Agents and CPA officials emphasized to him the dangerous environment
that exists in Iraq, and encouraged him to accept CPA’s offer
to facilitate his safe passage out of Iraq. Mr. Berg refused these
offers. The CPA coordinated with the Iraqi police for Mr. Berg’s
release on 4/6/04. He also refused government offers to advise his
family and friends of his status.
On 5/8/04, Mr.
Berg’s
remains were discovered by the U.S military in north central Baghdad.
FBI Director
Robert Mueller and the men and women of the FBI offer their deepest
sympathies to
the Berg family. The FBI’s Office
of Victim Assistance is providing support and assistance to the family.
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