Report: German Hostage in Iraq Found With Part of Ransom | Germany | Deutsche Welle | 22.01.2006

Report: German Hostage in Iraq Found With Part of Ransom Germany Deutsche Welle 22.01.2006

German politicians have called for an investigation into the alleged payment of ransom for former hostage Susanne Osthoff amid reports that some of the money was found on her after her release in Iraq.

German government officials have declined to comment on any payments they might have made to secure the release of German archaeologist Susanne Osthoff, who was held hostage for three weeks in November and December.

But according to a report in German magazine Focus, German embassy officials found wads with several thousand dollars in her clothes as Osthoff was taking a shower after her release.

Germany's federal criminal police (BKA) checked the bank notes registration numbers and found that they had been part of a ransom paid to Osthoff's captors, according to the report.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier doesn't want to comment
Spokespeople for the BKA and the foreign ministry refused to comment on the story and Osthoff was not available for a statement.

German parliamentarians meanwhile called for an inquiry into the allegations.

"This story is packed with inconsistencies, which have to be cleared up," Wolfgang Bosbach, a deputy parliamentary leader for Germany's ruling Christian Democrats (CDU), told Die Welt newspaper.

Max Stadler, the domestic affairs spokesman for the opposition Free Democrats, also called for an immediate investigation.

"The public has a right to find out," he said.

Osthoff's brother, Robert, meanwhile said that his sister was being treated unfairly.

"If the find of money in my sister's clothes should turn out to be true, it's a sneaky intrigue and a fake," he said.