Mosul, Iraq -- Unidentified gunmen assassinated Raad Joseph, an Assyrian businessman, on May 30th, 2006 in the city of Mosul. Joseph was a native of the Assyrian town of BarTilla, located approximately 10 miles from the city of Mosul where he ran a weight training club. His body was found in the Aysar coast of the industrial district of Mosul. Joseph, born in 1976, was married with one child.

The assassination is believed to be an act of revenge caused by Joseph's refusal to give up his business after a bid made by Kurds was rejected in court. A financial offer of 4 million Iraqi Dinars was made by the competing Kurds days before the assasination.

Nergal Gate New Agency