NEPAL

MAY 13, 2005
Updated: June 10, 2005

Som Sharma, Aankha

ABDUCTED

Maoist rebels abducted Sharma, a reporter for the weekly newspaper Aankha, from his home in the eastern district of Ilam. Rebels released Sharma on July 9 after negotiations with the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ).

FNJ central committee member Purna Basnet told The Associated Press that Sharma had been targeted in response to his critical reporting on Maoist activities in the area. He was reported in good health, according to local and international news reports.