The International Federation of Journalists has condemned the
targeting of journalists in Iraq following the disappearance of three
Romanian reporters.
targeting of journalists in Iraq following the disappearance of three
Romanian reporters.
Yesterday (29/03/05) reporters Marie-Jeanne Ion
and Eduard Ohanesian and cameraman Sorin Miscoci went missing along
with their Iraqi guide shortly after an interview with the interim
Prime Minister Iyad Allawi following a visit to Iraq by the President
of Romania.
and Eduard Ohanesian and cameraman Sorin Miscoci went missing along
with their Iraqi guide shortly after an interview with the interim
Prime Minister Iyad Allawi following a visit to Iraq by the President
of Romania.
According to the Romanian news agency Mediafax,
the journalists sent a telephone text message confirming that they had
been taken hostage in a suburb of Baghdad.
the journalists sent a telephone text message confirming that they had
been taken hostage in a suburb of Baghdad.
IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said: “Once
again journalists are targeted in Iraq and once again innocent
professionals are being used as bargaining chips by ruthless political
or criminal groups.
again journalists are targeted in Iraq and once again innocent
professionals are being used as bargaining chips by ruthless political
or criminal groups.
“Journalists everywhere will be outraged by this
latest incident, which adds to the catalogue of killings, kidnappings
and intimidation endured by reporters and media staff throughout this
conflict.”
latest incident, which adds to the catalogue of killings, kidnappings
and intimidation endured by reporters and media staff throughout this
conflict.”
According to the IFJ, since the invasion of Iraq
in March 2003, at least 76 journalists and media staff have been killed
and up to 32 have been taken hostage, of which 29 were released and 3
executed.
in March 2003, at least 76 journalists and media staff have been killed
and up to 32 have been taken hostage, of which 29 were released and 3
executed.
French reporter, Florence Aubenas, and her Iraqi interpreter Hussein Hanoun al-Saadi have remained hostage since 5 January 2005.
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