YORK street entertainer Michael Mime has been arrested by US forces in Baghdad, the Foreign Office confirmed today.
Michael Mime, real name Michael Todd, headed for the Middle East in February.
He first said he was on a mission to spread "unconditional love" to the war-torn country, and took hundreds of soft toys donated to Iraqi children by York residents.
Mr Todd then claimed he was trying to trace his estranged Iraqi girlfriend and their daughter.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said she had no details why Mr Todd had been arrested, but confirmed he had been in custody since July 4.
The spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that US forces detained Michael Todd in Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq on July 4.
"He was transferred to Baghdad on July 5. Staff from the British office in Baghdad have visited Mr Todd who has confirmed he is being well treated.
"We are in contact with the US authorities about his detention."
Updated: 14:35 Tuesday, July 22, 2003
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