# Hostages Update - Author: Joichi Ito - Date: 2004-04-12T10:58:49Z The Command PostHostages Released? Fox TV is reporting that at least eight hostages have been released and the three Japanese hostages are “safe.” No confirmation on this yet, will follow up.AljazeeraFate of Japanese hostages uncertain Monday 12 April 2004, 4:44 Makka Time, 1:44 GMT The lives of three Japanese hostages in Iraq are still in jeopardy, with their captors apparently threatening to start killing them unless Japan withdraws its forcesAljazeeraEight foreign hostages freed Sunday 11 April 2004, 21:39 Makka Time, 18:39 GMT An Iraqi group says it has released eight foreign hostages following the intervention of Muslim scholars on their behalf. A videotape aired by Aljazeera on Sunday showed eight frightened captives holding their passports and giving their nationalities. The hostages were seen guarded by masked men with arms. The hostages were three from Pakistan, two Turks, an Indian, a Nepali and one from the Philippines.So the Japanese were not among the released, but I wonder what "safe" means. Does anyone else have any news on this? --- #### Categories Japanese Politics, Warblogging