BIG mistake: CNN producer abducted in Gaza

[hoosier]

CNN producer abducted in Gaza

Monday, September 27, 2004 Posted: 1:48 PM EDT (1748 GMT)
Riad Ali

GAZA CITY (CNN) -- A group of armed men abducted a CNN producer in Gaza City on Monday.

The men kidnapped producer Riad Ali after stopping a taxi he was riding in with CNN Correspondent Ben Wedeman and a CNN camerawoman.

A white Peugeot pulled in front of the taxi, blocking its way, Wedeman said.

"A young man got out of the car, pulled a gun out of his trousers, came up and said to me -- actually in Arabic -- 'Which one of you is Riad?'"

Ali answered, "I am Riad," Wedeman said.

The kidnapper ordered Ali to get out of the taxi, Wedeman said. As he did so, several other men, some with AK-47s, exited the Peugeot.

Wedeman said the kidnappers made no attempt to cover their faces.

"They took him out of the car and drove him away," said Wedeman. No one was injured in the incident.

Ali, who is an Arab, has worked for CNN for about two years.