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100 days on, still no word on captive student in Iraq

Mr Sooden, 32, a Canadian citizen who lived and studied in New Zealand, was captured along with three others from a Christian peace organisation in November last year.

Vigils are planned in Britain and Canada to mark the 100th day of captivity for Mr Sooden, Canadian James Loney, American Tom Fox and Norman Kember of Britain, Canadian broadcaster CTV said on its website today.

Mr Sooden's sister, Preety Brewer of Auckland, told NZPA today that she did not think any similar vigils were planned in New Zealand.

"There are none that I'm aware of," she said.

She said the family had heard "absolutely nothing" of Mr Sooden since they received video footage of him in late January.

"We're just waiting and hoping."

Ms Brewer said it was hard to believe it had been 100 days since Mr Sooden was kidnapped by a group calling themselves Swords of Truth.

"It's amazing it's been so long already, I just can't believe it."

Mr Sooden's family said in January they were shocked at his condition in the video footage.

His brother-in-law, Mark Brewer, said it was a relief for the family to see the images after such a long time, but Mr Sooden's appearance had changed considerably.

"He looks pretty dishevelled and I think he's lost a bit of weight and he's obviously looking very tired, so you know for us to see someone we care about in that situation is very difficult," Mr Brewer said.

Mr Sooden's captors have said they will kill the four men if all Iraqi detainees are not released from prisons. Muslim clerics and political leaders from around the world have called on the kidnappers to release the men unharmed.

The four men, volunteers for Christian Peacemaker Teams, were in Iraq attempting to document human rights abuses in the wake of the US-led war in Iraq.

Prime Minister Helen Clark has regularly called for the release of Mr Sooden and his fellow hostages.

"The New Zealand Government continues to urge the captors of Harmeet and his friends to release them. All four were on a peaceful mission to Iraq, and were motivated purely by a desire to help the Iraqi people," she said in January.