The International Federation of Journalists(IFJ) today condemned the decision of the United States military authorities in Iraq to remand in detention Ibrahim Jassam Mohammed, an Iraqi journalist freelance photographer , whose release was ordered by the Iraqi Central Criminal Court last month.

"We strongly condemn this decision which makes a mockery of the coalition's handover of powers to Iraqi sovereign institutions," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.

According to media reports, the U.S military said Ibrahim will remain in prison on the grounds of security risk he poses and his release will be processed according to his individual threat level.

The Iraqi Central Criminal Court ordered Ibrahim's release on 30 November after prosecutors had admitted he had no case to answer and dropped charges against him.

The IFJ reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Ibrahim

"The American military officials in Iraq should stop interfering with the Iraqi justice and free Ibrahim." added White.

For more information contact the IFJ at + 32 2 235 2207

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide