Body of missing journalist found

New York, June 6, 2005—Missing journalist Daif al-Gahzal al-Shuhaibi was discovered dead late last week.

Al-Shuhaibi’s body was found on the coast of Benghazi, about 1,000 km (620 miles) east of the capital, Tripoli, according to press reports. An unnamed government official said that al-Shuhaibi, a former reporter for the government-owned Azahf Al-Akhdar, appeared “to have been killed in a criminal act,” Reuters reported.

Colleagues of al-Shuhaibi said that the journalist had been critical of “transgressions of the administration of the Libyan state,” according to the pan-Arab, London-based daily Al-Hayat.

Al-Shuhaibi was originally reported missing on May 22, Reuters reported. He was a member of Libya’s pro-government Revolutionary Committee.

Government authorities tightly control the Libyan press. Outside of the country, little information is available. CPJ continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding al-Shuhaibi’s death.