NEWS CENTER - The Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) has announced that its member, Italian-American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson, has been abducted in Baghdad by the Iran-backed Khatb’ Hezbollah, and has called on the authorities to ensure the journalist’s safety.  

 

The Coalition for Women in Journalism  (CFWIJ) and Women Press Freedom have issued a statement regarding the abduction of their member, the Italian-American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson, by the Iran-backed Khatb’ Hezbollah in Baghdad, Iraq, on 31 March. 

 

Although it was previously reported that an Iraqi official had stated that Shelly Kittleson had been rescued, there is still no clear information regarding the journalist’s current situation.  

 

CFWIJ and Women Press Freedom noted that there are serious concerns regarding Shelly Kittleson’s safety and that this situation constitutes an attack on press freedom and the safety of journalists. It was noted that developments since Shelly Kittleson’s kidnapping are cause for concern, and Iraqi authorities were urged to take immediate action to secure the journalist’s release. 

 

SECURITY CAMERA FOOTAGE OBTAINED

 

The statement provided the following details regarding the incident: “In a CCTV footage we obtained from sources on the ground, before it was made public, Shelly was last seen standing by a car on the streets of the capital city and was aggressively dragged into another vehicle by several men in broad daylight. This targeting of a journalist who was in Iraq to carry out her professional duty is an attack on democratic values. Kidnapping or any other kind of violence targeting journalists is intended to silence their critical voices, intimidate the larger press and media community, and instil a climate of fear.”

 

CALL TO AUTHORITIES

 

The statement noted that the daytime kidnap of Shelly Kittleson, a journalist who has been reporting from Iraq for a long time and possesses in-depth knowledge of the country and the region, also reflects the impunity surrounding attacks on journalists. The statement reads: “We call on Iraqi authorities, as well as the U.S authorities, to ensure Shelly’s swift release and safe return, and act against those who abducted her. We also demand that a transparent investigation is conducted into her kidnapping. We want authorities to ensure that everyone involved in the abduction be held responsible and accountable under the law.” It was noted that a failure to act swiftly would put Shelly Kittleson’s safety at risk.

 

Kiran Nazish, Founding Director of CFWIJ and Women’s Press Freedom, also noted that the most concerning issue for them is the inability to establish direct communication with those who have been abducted, stating: “While we know from sources we have spoken to and Iraqi authorities that Khatb’ Hezbollah is behind this, there is no official statement made by them, and no intermediary confirmation. This is important to take place as it would not only aid the process of a more genuine and thought through negotiation, but also help possibly expedite the negotiation process to get her out. We can use our resources, time and connections better to get Shelly released safely, if connection with abductors is established quickly.”