After the arrest of the German journalist Marlene Förster and her Slovenian colleague Matej Kavčič in Iraq, Reporters Without Borders called on the Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to intervene.
After the arrest of the German journalist Marlene Förster and her Slovenian colleague Matej Kavčič in Iraq, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on the Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to intervene. "The conditions in Iraqi prisons are frightening, no one should have to spend even one day in them unjustly," said RSF Director Christian Mihr in a statement.
Förster and Kavčič were arrested on 20 April in the Yazidi-influenced Shengal region in northern Iraq. They were in the region to research social development since the genocide carried out by the Islamic State against the Yazidis. After two days in detention at an Iraqi military station in Shengal, both media workers were taken to Baghdad. The accusation against them is suspicion of terrorism.
While Marlene Förster is being held in a solitary cell at the headquarters of the Iraqi secret service and is now receiving consular care from the German embassy in Baghdad. The 29-year-old from Darmstadt went on hunger strike until she was able to meet an embassy employee last Thursday. Matej Kavčič has been there since, and has had no contact with anyone since his arrest.
Solidarity actions on Press Freedom Day
Today is Press Freedom day. Supporters will show solidarity with Marlene Förster and Matej Kavčič. The hashtag #FreeMarleneandMatej called on Twitter for rallies in Berlin, Frankfurt, Potsdam and Marburg.
