Akihiko Saito

Relatives and officials confirmed May 28 that a man shown in a video released by the Islamic militants was Akihiko Saito but could not officially verify the fighters' claim he was dead.

The Army of Ansar al-Sunna group May 28 posted on its Web site a video of what it said was the body of Saito, a 44-year-old former member of the Ground Self-Defense Force taken hostage in Iraq.

The group said Saito died as a result of injuries incurred during his capture May 8.

According to the group's statement, Saito initially surrendered when his convoy was ambushed, repeatedly saying "prisoner, prisoner," in Arabic.

The attackers approached to capture him, but he opened fire on one of the militants "without hitting his target," the Web message said.

"The brother responded, firing several shots, wounding him but not killing him," the message continued.

After being moved "to a safe place" upon the arrival of U.S. troops at the ambush site, Saito was later "found dead from loss of blood," the group said.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 4, 2005
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