US Army releases journalist after four-days of unexplained detention

Reporters Without Borders welcomed the release of freelance journalist Ahmed al-Majun, president of the local branch of the Iraq journalists’ union in Tikrit, north of Baghdad. He had been arrested in the city along with his son on the night of 23-24 June and held at the US base in Speicher, 15 kilometres north of Tikrit. The Journalistic Freedom Observatory in Iraq said that al-Majun had been subjected to interrogations, the content of which he had been forbidden to reveal.

The US Army made no comment on the reasons for his detention, nor that of Ahmed Nuri, cameraman for Associated Press, whose release has also been urged by the worldwide press freedom organisation.

Previous Report: 25.06.2008

US and Iraqi soldiers arrest another journalist in Tikrit

Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrest of journalist Ahmed Al-Majoun in a raid by US and Iraqi soldiers on his home in Tikrit (180 km north of Baghdad) early yesterday. His son was also arrested. Majoun heads a journalists union based in Salah El Din, the province of which Tikrit is the capital. No reason has been given for their arrests.

“We are disturbed to see that, just a few weeks after the arrest of Associated Press cameraman Ahmed Nouri, the armed forces are still not respecting the work of journalists,” the press freedom organisation said. “The arrests of Majoun and his son are unjustified. We call on the US forces to say exactly what they are charged with or else release them.”

A joint US-Iraqi military unit arrested Majoun and his son at around 2 a.m. yesterday after forcing their way into his home using stun grenades that damaged the front door and windows. The Journalistic Freedoms Observatory said the soldiers stayed in the house until dawn. It is believed that Majoun and his son are being held at the US military base in Tikrit. The US military has refused to comment on their arrest.

Nouri, the AP cameraman, has been held at the same base since 4 June despite a joint appeal for his release by Reporters Without Borders and the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory. He was also arrested at his home by US and Iraqi soldiers.

Reporters Without Borders defends imprisoned journalists and press freedom throughout the world. It has nine national sections (Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland). It has representatives in Bangkok, London, New York, Tokyo and Washington. And it has more than 120 correspondents worldwide.

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