CSW is dismayed to learn that the beheaded and dismembered body of Father Boulos Iskander, 59, a Syrian Orthodox priest, was found in a suburb of Mosul on Wednesday night.

Father Iskander was abducted from Mosul on Monday afternoon, according to reports from Compass Direct and Middle East Concern. His family was later contacted by the kidnappers, demanding a $350,000 ransom. They subsequently agreed to reduce the sum to $40,000 if the priest's church was willing to publicly reject remarks made about Islam by Pope Benedict XVI last month.

The St. Ephram parish church posted 30 large signs around Mosul separating itself from the Pope's comments and the family managed to raise the ransom money. However, Father Iskander was discovered the next day and his remains were brought to a local hospital.

CSW's Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, says: "We are appalled to hear of such an atrocity and our thoughts and prayers are with Father Iskander's family, church and friends. We call upon the Iraqi authorities to do their best to protect Christians during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and urge all religious communities in Iraq to exercise tolerance and restraint towards one another".