American Journalist Shot Dead in Basra

American journalist Steven Vincent was found shot to death after being abducted Tuesday evening by five gunmen in a police car in Basra.

From The Globe and Mail:

"I can confirm to you that officials in Basra have recovered the body of journalist Steven Vincent," said embassy spokesman Pete Mitchell. "The U.S. Embassy is working with British military and local Iraqi officials in Basra to determine who is responsible for the death of this journalist. Our condolences go out to the family."

Vincent had been investigating and writing about police corruption and abuses of power in Basra. In a New York Times opinion piece four days ago, Vincent was critical of the rise in Shi'ite Islamist fundamentalism in Basra.