By NNN-KUNA,
Paris : An international press freedom organisation has expressed dismay over the murder of a freelance journalist, calling for a “thorough investigation” to be carried out in this regard.
Reporters Without Borders said in a statement here Monday that it is “shocked” by the murder of freelance journalist Sirwa Abdel Wahab who was killed in Mosul by gunmen during an attempt to kidnap her as she was leaving her home.
According to the organisation, Wahab’s death brings the number of journalists and media assistants killed in Iraq since the start of the war in March 2003 to 212, out of which 25 were killed in Mosul.
“This is yet another case to add to the long list of Iraqi journalists who have been targeted by armed groups operating with complete impunity,” the press freedom organisation said.
It called on the Iraqi authorities “to carry out a thorough investigation in order to identify those responsible and to discourage similar murders in the future.”
The organisation said: “As has happened so often in the past, Wahab was caught in an ambush from which she had no chance of escaping.” Wahab, 36, who was a member of the Kurdistan Union of Journalists, freelanced for various news media.
A total of 158 journalists and 54 media assistants have been murdered in Iraq since the start of the US-led war in March 2003.
The fate of another 14 journalists and media assistants who were kidnapped is still unknown.