(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has reiterated its call for the release of two French journalists and their Syrian guide as they complete a month in captivity. The organisation said it is “extremely concerned” about a 16 September 2004 statement posted on the Islamic Army of Iraq’s website saying the journalists are to be “tried.” “Georges Malbrunot, […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has reiterated its call for the release of two French journalists and their Syrian guide as they complete a month in captivity. The organisation said it is “extremely concerned” about a 16 September 2004 statement posted on the Islamic Army of Iraq’s website saying the journalists are to be “tried.”
“Georges Malbrunot, Christian Chesnot and Mohammed al-Joundi have been held for one month and every day that passes makes the wait more unbearable for their families and all those supporting them,” the organisation said.
“We renew our solemn appeal for the unconditional release of our three colleagues and we urge everyone to stay mobilised,” RSF said. The organisation stressed that, “the only mistake made by Malbrunot and Chesnot was to have tried to do their job courageously and freely by going to gather information in the field.”
The Islamic Army statement said that the group’s “court” would meet in the coming days “and issue its verdict.” It also said there would be “no more contacts or mediators.” The French authorities have not said whether they think the recent statement or any of the earlier ones posted on the site are authentic.
“If this message and the one attacking France as an ‘enemy of Islam’ turn out to be authentic, then we should expect the situation to deteriorate,” RSF said.
RSF continues to keep a vigil outside Paris City Hall, where gigantic photos of the three hostages are displayed. People can sign petitions for their release and leave messages of support at the site of the vigil, or by going to RSF’s website: http://www.rsf.org.
Malbrunot, 41, who was working as a special correspondent for “Le Figaro”, “Ouest-France” and RTL, and Chesnot, 38, a freelancer with RFI and Radio-France, were kidnapped on 20 August along with al-Joundi, 49, as they were driving to the embattled city of Najaf in southern Iraq.
The Islamic Army of Iraq, which has claimed responsibility for the three men’s abduction, has used the possibility of their release for political blackmail.
