Sooden missing 100 days

The sister of Iraq hostage Harmeet Singh Sooden says it's difficult to believe 100 days have passed since he was kidnapped.

Mr Sooden, 32, a Canadian citizen who lived and studied in New Zealand, was captured along with three others from a Christian peace organisation in November last year.

Vigils were planned in Britain and Canada to mark the 100th day of captivity for Mr Sooden, Canadian James Loney, American Tom Fox and Norman Kember of Britain, Canadian broadcaster CTV said on its website.

Mr Sooden's sister, Preety Brewer, of Auckland, said yesterday that she did not think any similar vigils were planned in New Zealand.

She said the family had heard absolutely nothing of Mr Sooden since they received video footage of him in late January.

"We're just waiting and hoping."

It was hard to believe it had been 100 days since Mr Sooden was kidnapped, by a group calling themselves Swords of Truth.

"It's amazing it's been so long already, I just can't believe it," Ms Brewer said.

Prime Minister Helen Clark has regularly called for the release of Mr Sooden and his fellow hostages.

"The New Zealand Government continues to urge the captors of Harmeet and his friends to release them, she said in January.

- NZPA