IFJ joins Iraqi affiliate in condemning killing of media worker

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today joined its affiliate, the Iraqi Journalists’ Syndicate (IJS), in condemning the killing last week of cameraman Imad al Jabouri, of Al Furaat TV, in Najaf city, south of the capital Baghdad. Both organisations have urged the authorities to conduct a thorough and open investigation into his murder. According to the IJS, the cameraman’s family reported that al Jabouri disappeared on Wednesday 11th November and the Police found his body on Saturday 14th. Media reported that he had a second job as a taxi driver whom the killers hired and took to an isolated area where they killed him. The IJS showed its concerns regarding the investigation recently carried by the Iraqi authorities as it is not clear so far, the union reported after a close follow-up. The Federation backed its affiliate deploring the death of al Jabouri, who becomes the forth media worker killed in Iraq in 2015, and urged for a thorough investigation. “We are saddened by the loss of our Iraqi colleague Imad al Jabouri. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and we stand in solidarity with our union on the ground in these difficult moments,” said IFJ President, Jim Boumelha. “We back the IJS demand of a thorough and open investigation into his murder so the killers are immediately brought to justice. This case sadly underlines the harsh working conditions for Iraqi journalists which force them to seek second jobs to be able to feed their families.” Iraq remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists on the world. Last year eight media workers lost their lives in the country while on professional mission, according to IFJ statistics.

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