Held man's family keep low profile

The family of Harmeet Singh Sooden have been cautioned about the publication of their images in case they are used against the Auckland student who is being held captive in Iraq.

Mark Brewer, Mr Sooden's brother-in-law, told the Herald yesterday that agencies helping the family had advised them against allowing the publication of family shots as that might somehow increase the risk to the hostages.

The Government has also invoked terrorist media protocols to avoid any adverse publicity while the four men are captive.

Mr Sooden, 32, is being held with fellow Canadian James Loney, 41, Norman Kember, 74, of Britain, and American Tom Fox, 54, all members of the Christian Peacemaking Team.

They were taken in Baghdad nearly two weeks ago by an Iraqi terrorist cell calling itself the Swords of Righteousness Brigade, which has threatened to execute the men unless all Iraqi prisoners are released.

The deadline was extended from last Thursday to Saturday but nothing has been heard since.

Mr Brewer said there were still no significant developments and he was keeping in touch with foreign affairs officials in Canada and New Zealand.

The family's life was on hold, he said.

Both Mr Brewer and his wife, Preety, were not returning to their jobs in the meantime.

Mr Sooden's mother, Manjeet Kaur Sooden, who had been in New Zealand for a holiday before the kidnappings, has been joined by her husband, Dalip Singh Sooden, who works at a copper mine in Zambia.

An associate of the family, who did not want to be named, told the Herald the Chingola community in Zambia had been shocked by the abduction of Harmeet, who was remembered as a "reserved and gentle" boy.

Mr Brewer said that as soon as Mr Sooden's release was announced, family members would go to Jordan.