Yemen: IFJ urges investigation into fate and whereabouts of missing journalist

Yemeni journalist Assil Mustapha Swid was abducted at dawn on Friday 1 May as he was leaving his home in Taez heading to the city of Aden, according to his brother who informed the Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate (JYS) about the kidnapping. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), together with its affiliate the Yemeni Journalist Syndicate (YJS), today urged Yemeni authorities to find the missing journalist and punish those responsible for his abduction.

Credit: JYS Journalist Assil Mustapha Swid

Assil Mustapha Swid, an independent freelancer and video-photographer, had received several threats due to his reporting. 

The journalist's enforced disappearance is a reminder of the safety crisis facing Yemeni journalists and the IFJ has in recent years raised its concerns over the insecurity facing journalists on the ground in the country. 

The YJS said: “We condemn this crime and call on the security authorities in Taez, Laej and Aden to investigate the case in order to release the journalist and provide him the necessary protection. Then, those responsible for the abduction, have to be prosecuted by law”.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger added that: “We are concerned about the fate of Assil Mustapha Swid who has done nothing other than doing his job. We urge the Yemeni authorities  to free Assil Mustapha Swid and bring his kidnappers to justice. We also call on all parties involved in the Yemeni conflict to provide information they have about his whereabouts and his fate."

For more information, please contact IFJ on +32 2 235 22 16

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 146 countries

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