BAGHDAD, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Fifteen of the 50 people kidnapped on Monday in central Baghdad were released, a police source said on Wednesday.

    "Our police patrol found around Tuesday midnight 15 people of those 50 kidnapped two days ago in Salhiyah Street," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

    "All of the 15 people showed signs of torture, including three with bullet holes in their legs," he said.

    The released people said that the kidnappers accused them of terrorism and assisting terrorists who came from Syria.

    On Monday, gunmen wearing police commando uniforms and riding SUVs and pickup trucks abducted 50 employees and passengers in Salhiyah Street in central Baghdad where several transport companies locate.

    Violence has persisted despite the formation of a new unity government in the war-torn country. Enditem