Ankara, Turkey ? A Turkish construction company announced Tuesday that it was halting operations in neighboring Iraq in a bid to save the lives of 10 employees kidnapped by militants.

Meanwhile, state TRT television reported that the body of a Turk, identified as Akar Besir, was found early Tuesday near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. The report said Besir was employed as a driver for a firm working for the U.S. military and was kidnapped on Saturday.

Also Tuesday, Tahsin Top, a Turkish hostage in Iraq whose company withdrew from Iraq was released by his kidnappers, the Foreign Ministry said.

Top had been abducted on Aug. 5 north of Baghdad by kidnappers who threatened to behead him if his Turkish employer did not withdraw from Iraq. Top’s company, Atahan Lojistik International, later withdrew from Iraq. The kidnappers then demanded $45,000 for Top’s release. It was not clear whether any money was paid.

The Ankara-based VINSAN construction company said in a statement it was freezing operations and added that its 10 kidnapped employees were innocent and were trying to support their families.

VINSAN chairman of board Ali Haydar Veziroglu said his company was not involved in any partnerships with any U.S. firms and was working on a road project.