ei: Relief at news that kidnapped AFP photographer has been freed

Jamie Razuri, AFP photographer, after he was released in Gaza, January 7, 2007. (MaanImages/Wesam Saleh)

Reporters Without Borders voiced relief on learning that Peruvian photographer Jaime Razuri of Agence France-Presse was released in Gaza City today, a week after he was kidnapped outside the agency's bureau.

"We are extremely relieved by this news," the press freedom organisation said. "But we call on the authorities to bring the kidnappers to justice. This is the only way to finally put an end to this series of abductions. So far, none of the people responsible for the abductions of six journalists in 2006 have been prosecuted. Letting this impunity continue will mean that other foreign journalists will be in danger of being kidnapped."

Reporters Without Borders has been told that Razuri was received by President Mahmoud Abbas immediately after his release. A news conference was due to be held in the building that houses the president's offices. The identity of Razuri's abductors is still not known.

Razuri was kidnapped by four gunmen on the afternoon of 1 January as he was returning to the AFP bureau in Gaza City in the company of a driver and an interpreter.

Related Links

Reporters without Borders

Federation of Journalists and Palestinians Join Forces in Call for Release of Kidnapped Photographer, International Federation of Journalists (4 January 2007)

Agence France-Presse photographer kidnapped in Gaza City, RSF/IFEX (2 January 2006)