The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today blamed the Yemeni forces for the killing of Abdulmajeed El Samawi, a deputy director of a local radio station, who died on 3 October 2011 days after he had been shot and wounded by a sniper on 25 September. He The shooting took place during clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters near Taghyeer Square which the journalist was covering.

"We condemn the killing of El Samawi who is the latest victim of mindless violence of Yemeni security forces," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "This callous murder shows that the government forces are deliberately targeting journalists who are critic of the government's handling of the bloody conflict in the country."

The Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate (YJS), an IFJ affiliate, announced the death on Monday of Abdulmajeed El Samawi, saying that  the journalist died of wounds sustained on 25 September when he was shot in the neck by a sniper in the Azzeraa street near his home. He underwent surgery to save his life but remained in intensive care until his death, the YJS says.

El Samawi, who supported the uprising in Yemen, is the third journalist to be killed since the start of the anti-government protests in the country, after Arabic Media Agency cameraman Hassan Al-Wadhaf who was shot on 18 September and died later in hospital and Jamal Al-Sharabi of Al-Masdar newspaper who was killed on 18 March.

According to local sources, journalists covering pro- democracy protests have been targeted by snipers and security forces loyal to the regime, who have taken up positions on the roofs of buildings near El Taghyeer Square. The YJS has reported more than 270 cases of attacks against the media since the protests began in Yemen.

The IFJ accuses the government of failing to fulfilling its obligations under international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1738 to protect journalists working in conflict zones.

"The Yemeni authorities have control responsibility for the security forces' actions and they have failed to stop attacks on journalists," added Beth Costa, IFJ General Secretary. "We hold them accountable for the killings of our three colleagues and for the safety on all journalists covering the conflict in Yemen."

For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 07

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 131 countries