Iraq/Kuwait: Kuwaiti national repatriated under ICRC auspices

Geneva (ICRC) - A Kuwaiti civilian, Mr Jassem al-Randi, was repatriated on 30 March under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The operation, which took place at the border post between the villages of Safwan, in Iraq, and Abdali, in Kuwait, was carried out with full cooperation from authorities of both countries.

Mr al-Randi had reportedly been arrested at the border for illegally entering Iraq earlier this month. After being contacted by the Iraqi authorities, the ICRC visited him on 16 and 28 March while he was being detained in Baghdad. Delegates spoke in private with Mr al-Randi, who wrote a Red Cross message that was conveyed the same day to his family in Kuwait.

The government of Iraq subsequently asked the ICRC to act as a neutral intermediary to facilitate Mr al-Randi's return home. To this end, the ICRC approached the authorities in Baghdad and Kuwait City.

The ICRC is pleased to have been able to reunite Mr Jassen al-Randi with his family.