Freed British hostage Norman Kember has spoken to the BBC about his experiences in Iraq.
The 74-year-old peace activist, who was held for nearly four months, recalled the events leading up to his kidnapping and release, as well as his emotions.
ON BEING KIDNAPPED
"We were just driving out towards the main road when a car stopped in front
of us and out popped four men with guns, pushed out the driver and the
translator and took over the car.
"They told, I think Jim, to lie on the floor, and pointed guns at him, and off we were driven.
"It was just unreal, that's what kidnapping's all about."
ON HIS CAPTORS
"There were three minders that minded us in rotation.
"They showed us videos that they were very proud of - videos of them blowing up tanks.
"I don't wish them any harm. They had humanity - they showed us humanity from time to time.
"I think they were misguided - they were obviously men of violence."
ON THE SAS
"I continue to thank them for what they did.
"They were brave. I disagree with their profession, but it is ironic isn't it - you go as a peace activist and you are rescued by the SAS, which is perhaps the most violent of all the British forces.
"Anyway I am grateful to them. I met one of them by chance on the way out of Baghdad and he was quite happy to chat to me and I was happy to chat to him."
ON DENIAL
"I'm almost in denial of the whole last three months.
"Psychologists would say this is a big mistake and you shouldn't be in denial.
"I think that is the way I coped - by shutting my mind down for three months, but not altogether.
"I spent a lot of time with my mind shut down.
ON REGRETS
"I would do it again provided that we didn't go make the mistake of going to that mosque because I think that was asking for trouble."
"I think that [going to Iraq] was a risk worth taking, but I think the risk of going to that mosque was too great".
ON SUICIDE
"When you are really depressed you think of suicide but there are not the means to do so.
"I thought of suicide. I thought it might help the Canadians. If they got rid of the Brit, then the Canadians might find it easier.
"I didn't mention it to the other people - the other two - because that would have put them off."
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