A group led by al-Qaeda in Iraq said today it has decided to kill four Russian hostages after Moscow failed to meet demands to withdraw from Chechnya and free Muslim prisoners, according to an Internet posting.
"After granting the Russian government 48 hours to meet our demands and their failure to do so ... the Islamic court of the Mujahideen Shura Council ruled to kill them," said the statement posted on a website often used by militants.
"And let them be an example for those who follow them and challenge the mujahideen and dare to step foot in the land of honour, Iraq."
The statement's authenticity could not be verified and it was unclear when the hostages might be killed.
On Monday, the group said it was holding the four Russians and gave Moscow 48 hours to meet its demands.
The council, an umbrella body composed of al-Qaeda in Iraq and several other Sunni militant groups, has pledged to continue a holy war against US-led forces despite the killing of the
leader of Iraq's al-Qaeda, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
On June 3rd, four Russian embassy staff were kidnapped when gunmen blocked their vehicle in a Baghdad district and a fifth embassy employee was shot dead.