Informant38

"Norman Kember is a man who cares deeply for the people of Iraq and his kidnap and continued detention is completely unjustifiable."
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Christian Peacemaker Teams:
CPT initiated a long-term presence in Iraq in October 2002, six months before the beginning of the U.S. led invasion in March of 2003. The primary focus of the team for eighteen months following the invasion was documenting and focusing attention on the issue of detainee abuses and basic legal and human rights being denied them...
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CPT has worked as "an alternative voice to the reporters 'embedded' with Coalition forces," have used "their bodies to protect critical civilian infra-structure such as water treatment facilities, electrical plants, and hospitals," have documented "abuse of detainees by Coalition forces," and "have ventured forth in response to urging from Iraqi human rights workers in Karbala."
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It makes absolutely no sense for the Iraqi resistance to kidnap Kember and his associates. Kember worked directly with the Iraqi people and chances are slim to none he had any significant contact with the legitimate Iraqi resistance. It is absurd to think the Iraqi resistance - a movement drawing operational strength from its decentralized and secretive "cell" structure - would compromise itself by dealing with CPT or any other organization and thus possibly falling victim to spying. On the other hand, it is safe to assume there were indeed spies in CPT...

Kurt Nimmo
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The video was apparently shot by a previously unknown group called the Swords of Righteousness Brigade, who accused the four of being spies masquerading as Christian peace activists.
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The Swords of Righteousness is a hitherto unknown group. However, US and Iraqi officials said that they appeared to be Sunnis.
A senior Iraqi government official said that no demand had been made by the group and no specific threats had been issued against the hostages. "We believe this indicates room for negotiations," he said.

Independent UK