Hostage's family seek NZ residency

Harmeet Sooden

The parents of kidnapped peace activist Harmeet Sooden are seeking New Zealand residency so their son has a home to return to on his release by militants in Iraq.

Dalip and Manjeet Sooden said they wished to support themselves and make a home where their son would be able to recover mentally and physically.

Fearing it could be months or longer before they learn of the fate of their son is known, the Soodens decided to apply for residency now.

"When Harmeet is released, he won't be the same. He might look the same but he won't be the same.

"It could be a long time, maybe year before we know that he is okay," Mr Sooden told the Dominion post newspaper.

The family are living in Auckland with their daughter's family and Mr Sooden has cancelled an employment contract in Zambia -- where he works as a mechanical engineer in the country's copper mines -- while they wait to learn the fate of Harmeet Sooden.

Originally from Kashmir work commitments in Africa had prevented them from joining their children in New Zealand when they had previously been given permission to immigrate in the mid 1990s.

Harmeet Sooden, a 32-year-old Canadian citizen who has been studying at Auckland University , was kidnapped by the previously unknown Swords of Righteousness Brigade on November 26.

The group threatened to kill the men if the United States and Britain did not release detainees in Iraq, but nothing has been heard since the deadline elapsed on December 10.

- NZPA