Germany says dead hostage has gunshot wounds

BERLIN, July 22 (Reuters) German authorities have seen the body of a German hostage who died in captivity in Afghanistan and his body has gunshot wounds, Germany's Foreign Ministry said today.

''The remains of the dead German are as of this evening in Kabul,'' Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said in a statement. ''After an initial visual examination by German authorities, it was noticed that the body had gunshot wounds.'' He said it was unclear what was the exact cause of death and added that Berlin wanted the remains returned to Germany as soon as possible for a closer examination.

REUTERS CS PM0127