Kidnappers threaten to execute NZ student

Kidnappers have threatened to execute an Auckland University student unless demands are met by Thursday, the Arab television station Al-Jazeera reported today.

Harmeet Singh Sooden, a Canadian citizen, and three other peace activists -- a Briton, an American and another Canadian -- were kidnapped seven days ago.

Mr Sooden, who has been resident in New Zealand for three years, travelled to Iraq after the university semester finished in order to work with a Canada-based aid agency, Christian Peacemaker Teams.

He had been doing a transitional certificate in English literature at Auckland University this year with the intention of beginning his masters degree in 2006.

In the tape, the kidnappers threatened kill their hostages unless all prisoners in US and Iraqi detention centres are released.

The kidnappers gave the two governments until December 8 to meet their demands, according to Al-Jazeera quoting a statement delivered with the tape.

The tape showed what the television station said were two Canadian hostages. An American and a Briton are also being held. The Canadians were shown eating from plates of what appeared to be Arabic sweets.

Stuart Young, a senior lecturer in English literature, at Auckland University described his student Mr Sooden as a very modest and courteous young man who was hoping to become a teacher after completing a postgraduate degree at Auckland.

Born in Zambia to Indian parents, Mr Sooden's first degree was in electrical engineering from Montreal. He obtained Canadian citizenship before arriving in New Zealand in April 2003.

Despite a full academic life, Mr Sooden played and coached squash at the university's recreation centre, where he had a close circle of friends.

Christian Peacemaker Teams -- supported by several Protestant denominations that believe Christianity forbids all war-making and violence -- has sent activists into war zones, including Bosnia and Haiti, since the late 1980s. It has about 160 members around the world and about a dozen in Iraq.

- NZPA