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ISSA SALOMI BELIEVED TO BE CAPTIVE SHOWN IN VIDEO
Updated February 7, 2010 8 a.m.
February 6, 2010 – The U.S. military confirms that Issa Salomi, 60, of El Cajon has been kidnapped by a militant Islamic organization, the Washington Post reports. Salomi was working as a contractor in Bagdhad, but disappeared January 23. Now a video posted on a site owned by the militants, League of the Righteous, shows a man who appears to be Salomi, according to the Associated Press. Salomi's wife, Muna, has confirmed that the man is her husband, the Union-Tribune reports. View the video.
His wife, Muna, said she is “very sick” and distraught at the news, the Washington Post states. Family has reportedly released an official statement through the FBI in San Diego which states “We are confident that everything is being done by the most capable people here and abroad to bring Issa home safely, and we all are anxiously awaiting his safe return."
Militants are demanding punishment of guards working for Blackwater (now called XE) who shot 17 Iraqis in a 2007 incident. Charges against the guards were dismissed by a judge in late December. The kidnappers also seek release of militants who have fought against the U.S.
Salomi owns the La Palapa Market in Logan Heights. Hoovers.com, a clearinghouse site on businesses nationwide, lists Salomi as president of Zooma Enterprises, a wholesale food company in San Diego. Zooma is listed as doing business at 2483 Imperial Ave. in San Diego.
On June 24, 2003, the Commerce Dept. fined Zooma and Salomi to settle charges that he listed Jordan as the country of destination for medical equipment exports, not Iraq.
Salomi, who is of Iraqi origin, reportedly was abducted while visiting relatives in Iraq, according to the Washington Post. An employee called him a "good man". Friends and family have asked not to be quoted in media for fear of jeopardizing negotiations for Salomi's release.
Arkan Somo, president of the Neighborhood Market Association, which represents many Iraqi business owners locally, spoke with the Union-Tribune. "We pray and hope that the authorities could get a resolution to his release,” he said.
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