WASHINGTON, D.C. (ANS) -- The body of a kidnapped 5-year-old Christian boy was discovered riddled with gunshots in Iraq on May 11.

International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org  has learned that Tony Adwar Shaweel was kidnapped on March 5, 2009 by an unknown group who demanded a ransom of $50,000.

ICC says the identity of Tony's kidnappers and murderers is still unknown. However, Christians in Iraq have been increasingly targeted by criminal gangs, Islamic extremists and other armed groups as part of a broader strategy to drive the Iraqi Christian population from country. Despite these appalling conditions, the media rarely reports violence against Christians in Iraq.

In a statement to ICC, Juliana Taimoorazy, president of the Iraqi Christian Relief Council, said, "On Sunday, May 10th, Christians in Chicago prayed in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Iraq for peace and especially for the safe return of the kidnapped. Unfortunately, the following day, on Monday, the community was notified of the discovery of his body. The Iraqi Christians in Chicago are mourning the loss of yet another one of their own."

Taimoorazy added: "What we need is for the American government to take notice of this dire situation. We are demanding that the State Department work on passing legislation, which would ensure the protection of the Chaldo-Assyrian Christians in their own homeland.

"We want to live peacefully side by side with the other citizens in Iraq. This situation has long gone unnoticed. We implore the international community to pay attention and unite in helping the sons and daughters of those who gave so much to civilization over 6,700 years ago."

ICC's Regional Manager for Africa and the Middle East, Jonathan Racho, said: "This latest unconscionable act indicates the deteriorating situation for Christian minorities in Iraq. It is also a clear sign of the danger that all Iraqi Christians face in the country. We call upon the Iraqi and the United States government to put an end to the systematic extermination of Christians from Iraq."

Please pray for the family of Tony and all the persecuted Christians in Iraq.

You may also go to www.house.gov  to find the information of your elected officials and alert them to the killing of Tony and ask them to pressure Iraqi officials to protect Iraqi Christians.

ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael has traveled to Albania and the former Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany and the former Czechoslovakia, Israel,and Canada. He has reported for ANS from Jordan, China, Russia, Jamaica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.'