OTTAWA, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- A Canadian militant involved in an attack on a gas plant in Algeria last year played a leading role, a former hostage says.
In an interview set for Thursday on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., Stephen McFaul, an electrical engineer from Northern Ireland, described the days of terror he spent as a hostage at the plant. He also talked of Xristos Katsiroubas's involvement.
Katsiroubas, who was born in London, Ontario, and another Canadian involved in the attack died at the gas plant, CBC reported last year, possibly blowing themselves up.
A group using the name The Signatories in Blood and believed to have ties to al-Qaida seized the plant in January. More than 30 foreign employees were taken hostage.
McFaul described Katsiroubas tying hostages together with electrical cord around their necks and handling a heavy machine gun as he attempted to shoot down a helicopter. CBC previously said Katsiroubas functioned as a negotiator and translator for the group.
