Medeshi 24 Aug, 2008MOGADISHU, Somalia: Media organizations confirmed on Sunday that two foreign journalists have been kidnapped near Somalia's capital, and the family of one of the hostages expressed concern about his welfare.
The Canadian and Australian journalists were kidnapped Saturday along with their Somali driver and two Somali guards
The Canadian and Australian journalists were kidnapped Saturday along with their Somali driver and two Somali guards
(Photo: Australian photographer Nigel Brenan went missing near Mogadishu)
(while traveling to Elasha, 18 kilometers (11 miles) southwest of the capital, Mogadishu, Somali witnesses have said.
Somalia's government has confirmed the kidnapping.
In a statement Sunday, Paris-based Reporters Without Borders identified the journalists as Canadian Amanda Lindhout and Australian Nigel Brennan. The group said Lindhout is normally based in Baghdad and works for French TV station France 24 and Global National News of Canada.
The National Union of Somali Journalists condemned the kidnapping.
"We are appalled by this cruel abduction of journalists and call for the immediate release of our colleagues who are being held captive because of their noble work for Somali people," Omar Faruk Osman, the union's secretary general, said in a statement Sunday.
In Australia, Brennan's family said that it is worried about him.
"We are deeply concerned that our son Nigel Brennan may have gone missing near Mogadishu in Somalia yesterday. He is a freelance photographer who arrived in Kenya just over a week ago," the family said in a statement Sunday released by Australia's government.
Authorities in Australia said they are investigating whether Brennan has been kidnapped.
Somali government spokesman Abdi Haji Gobdon said Saturday that his government is trying to find out where the journalists are being held captive.
Journalists and humanitarian workers are frequently abducted for ransoms in Somalia, one of the world's poorest war-torn countries. Foreign and local workers generally travel in convoys heavily guarded by freelance militiamen.
Saturday's reported abduction came during a period of widespread violence in Somalia.
In the worst attack, Islamic militants said Saturday they have seized control of Kismayo, Somalia's third largest city, after fighting that left about 70 people dead.
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Somalia's government has confirmed the kidnapping.
In a statement Sunday, Paris-based Reporters Without Borders identified the journalists as Canadian Amanda Lindhout and Australian Nigel Brennan. The group said Lindhout is normally based in Baghdad and works for French TV station France 24 and Global National News of Canada.
The National Union of Somali Journalists condemned the kidnapping.
"We are appalled by this cruel abduction of journalists and call for the immediate release of our colleagues who are being held captive because of their noble work for Somali people," Omar Faruk Osman, the union's secretary general, said in a statement Sunday.
In Australia, Brennan's family said that it is worried about him.
"We are deeply concerned that our son Nigel Brennan may have gone missing near Mogadishu in Somalia yesterday. He is a freelance photographer who arrived in Kenya just over a week ago," the family said in a statement Sunday released by Australia's government.
Authorities in Australia said they are investigating whether Brennan has been kidnapped.
Somali government spokesman Abdi Haji Gobdon said Saturday that his government is trying to find out where the journalists are being held captive.
Journalists and humanitarian workers are frequently abducted for ransoms in Somalia, one of the world's poorest war-torn countries. Foreign and local workers generally travel in convoys heavily guarded by freelance militiamen.
Saturday's reported abduction came during a period of widespread violence in Somalia.
In the worst attack, Islamic militants said Saturday they have seized control of Kismayo, Somalia's third largest city, after fighting that left about 70 people dead.
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