Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 14-01-2017
PEN South Africa says it has written to the Syrian Ambassador in South Africa calling for the immediate release of South African photo journalist Shiraaz Mohamed.
According to aid organisation Gift of the Givers, Mohamed who hails from Lenasia South was abducted by a group of men near Darkush en-route to Turkey last week.
Gift of the Givers says it has not yet established why Mohamed was kidnapped but believes it may be a misunderstanding.
In a statement PEN South Africa which represents writers across the world says they are deeply concerned that Mohamed had been unlawfully detained as there was no clear reason for his kidnapping.
“We call on the Syrian government to ensure the unconditional and immediate release of Mohamed if there are no charges that have been brought against him.”
PEN says Syria’s record of detaining and obstructing journalists is alarming and a cause for concern.
At the same time the department of international relations and co-operation’s Nelson Kgwete says they are working with Syrian officials to return Mohamed to South Africa unharmed, but the conflict between various factions in Syria has made international diplomacy difficult.
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