Attacks on the Press 2006: Europe and Central Asia Snapshots
Armenia Germany/Poland Poland Bosnia Italy Portugal Bulgaria Lithuania Romania Croatia Macedonia Serbia Cyprus Moldova Switzerland Denmark Netherlands ARMENIA • On May 25, authorities denied independent television station A1+ a broadcasting license for the 12th time. According to press reports, the National Commission on Television and Radio justified the rejection by saying that competitors submitted stronger…
Two Pakistani journalists abducted, released
NOVEMBER 21, 2006 Posted: December 27, 2006 Syed Saleem Shahzad, The Star and Asia Times Online Qamar Yousafzai, freelance ABDUCTED The two Pakistani journalists were seized by Taliban forces and held for five days in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. After their release, Shahzad told reporters that they had been held for entering the province without Taliban…
Three weeks after abduction, photographer released in Afghanistan
New York, November 3, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes today’s release of Italian freelance photographer Gabriele Torsello three weeks after he was taken captive by gunmen in southern Afghanistan. The Italian government confirmed to news agencies Torsello’s release, which was first reported by PeaceReporter, a Web site that works closely with aid agencies in…
Afghanistan: As deadline looms, CPJ urges kidnappers to free journalist
New York, October 20, 2006—Ahead of the deadline set by the kidnappers of an Italian photographer in Afghanistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists appeals for his immediate safe release. Freelancer Gabriele Torsello was seized by five gunmen October 12. At first, the kidnappers set a deadline of Sunday night for their demands to be met.…
Italian photojournalist, abducted in Afghanistan, still missing
New York, October 16, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the reported abduction of freelance Italian photojournalist Gabriele Torsello on Thursday. The independent Afghan news agency Pajhwok said Torsello was seized by five gunmen on the highway from Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, to neighboring Kandahar province. Pajhwok said the information…