More than 250 foreigners have been abducted since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. At least 44 have been killed; 135 were released, three escaped, six were rescued and the fate of the others remains unknown. Documents seen by The Times show three countries paid ransoms in spite of denying it in public – sums from $2.5 million to $10 million per person have been paid over the past 21 months.