IFJ Condemns Killing of Iraqi Journalist as Media Staff Deaths Reach 141

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the killing of radio journalist Azad Mohammad Hassan, whose death marked the 141st killing of media staff in the country since the war began in 2003.

Hassan, who was working for the radio station Dar Al Salam, was abducted a week ago by unknown gunmen, the Iraqi Journalists’ Syndicate said. His body was found today in the Northeast section of Baghdad.

“The kidnapping and killing of journalists with impunity has become an all-too-common occurrence in Iraq, making a free and independent press in Iraq impossible,” the IFJ said. “Until the Iraqi government stop this horrifying trend, there cannot be true democracy in the country.”

Earlier this week, two more Iraqi journalists were abducted in separate attacks.

On Monday, Mohammad Abdul Rahman, an announcer for the Dejla radio station, was kidnapped in the middle of Baghdad by unknown gunmen while he was on his way to the station. Ali Kareem, the editor-in-chief of local newspaper Nabed Al Shabab, was on his way to work in eastern  Baghdad on Tuesday when he was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

The IFJ and the IJS have called for their immediate and unconditional release.

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207
The IFJ has over 500,000 members is more than 100 countries worldwide