MARCH 28 , 2005
Posted: April 7, 2005
Wael Issam, Al-Arabiya
HARASSED, IMPRISONED
Iraqi forces detained Issam, a Palestinian cameraman working for the satellite news channel Al-Arabiya, at Baghdad International Airport, the station said. Issam was en route to the station’s headquarters in Dubai.
Iraqi authorities told the station they were holding Issam after seizing videotapes from him that depicted “armed groups.” Iraqi officials provided no further details, according to the station. Issam was in the custody of Iraqi security forces in Baghdad, Al-Arabiya said. It was not immediately clear what charges, if any, were filed.
CPJ fears that Issam has been detained simply for his work and expressed concern that Iraqi forces held him for an extended period without disclosing their legal basis.