Journalist assassinated in Yemen

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 8 October 2018

Zaki al-Saqaldi, a Yemeni journalist, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Dhale city. This incident raises concerns over the safety of journalists in Yemen.

Summary

BRUSSELS - Yemeni journalist Zaki al-Saqaldi, the editor of al-'Ataa newspaper, was assassinated by unidentified gunmen on October 8 in front of his house in Dhale city.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its Yemeni affiliate, the Yemeni Journalist Syndicate, in strongly condemning the killing and in expressing serious concerns about increasing hostility and harassment against journalists in Yemen.

According to local media reporting, unidentified gunmen opened fire on al-Saqaldi and killed him instantly. The attackers fled and had not been arrested yet.

This crime is the latest in a series of targeted attacks against journalists and political activists in the country. In a statement, the YJS denounced the “targeting campaign” against journalists “amidst the absence of security”.

“The YJS holds the security authorities of Al-Dhale fully responsible for this crime and for protecting journalists in the governorate. The YJS also reiterates its demands to not include journalists in the conflict or to incite against them because of their opinions”, said the YJS.

Last week, the YJS published its quarterly report on the attacks against media, reporting that there have been 35 attacks against journalists and media workers since July, including killings, imprisonments, attacks on media houses, the closure of media and confiscation of newspapers by security forces. The Houthis are responsible for 43% of these attacks, while the Yemeni government, different militias and the Saudi-led coalition are responsible for most of the other attacks.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: “The murder of Saqaldi is the culmination of waves of crimes against journalists and media workers by all parties involved in the Yemen conflict over the last four years; all of them have gone unpunished. The Yemeni government must immediately establish an independent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.” – IFJ media release/Photo: Shutterstock.com