Do you really


believe it’s possible for you or your


security team to be kidnapped?


I


n the ten years since his release in 2009, IT consultant Peter Moore has


reflected on how he survived, what led to him being kidnapped and pragmatic suggestions for others in a similar situation.


Choosing Baghdad as a place of work


The rollercoaster landing at Baghdad Airport in April 2007 was a big clue into how life there was going to be for Peter Moore.


Missiles were going off in the distance and a group of Iraqi prisoners were kneeling, with their hands tied behind their backs, just by the runway. At the time, he thought, “Maybe this is riskier than I thought.”


But his choice of location was more considered than it seems. Peter already had experience of working in challenging spots around the world, including long spells in Guyana and China. This posting, which he thought would be brief and beneficial to his career, was part of a permanent role.


However, his youth and naivety did play a part. He didn’t tell his parents his next job was in Baghdad – they only found out when he was kidnapped – and his friends told him he must be mad.


The security set-up


Any concerns Peter did have about travelling to a war zone were partially assuaged by the security arrangements put in place. He was told he would be assigned a four- man security team, who were ex-military and highly trained. Any travel would be in a low-profile armoured vehicle.


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