Algerian Hijackers’ Group Claims It Murdered Priests
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ALGIERS — Algeria’s radical Armed Islamic Group on Wednesday took responsibility for the slaying of four Catholic priests in Algeria after four of its members were slain by French commandos who stormed a hijacked Air France jetliner in Marseilles.
The priests, three Frenchmen and a Belgian, were killed Tuesday, a day after commandos rescued 170 hostages and ended the hijacking, which began Saturday in Algiers.
In a statement faxed to news organizations, the Armed Islamic Group, or GIA, said the priests died as part of a campaign of “annihilation and physical liquidation of Christian crusaders.”
The French priests were Christian Cheissel, 36, Jean Chevillard, 69, and Alain Dieulangard, 75. Charles Deckers, a 70-year-old Belgian, had set up an association in Algiers to promote better understanding between Christians and Muslims.
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