Two Iraqi Journalists Found Dead

(Baghdad) Witnesses saw two Iraqi journalists, Laith al-Dulaimi and Muazaz Ahmed Barood, abducted on Sunday southeast of Baghdad. Their bodies were found on Monday.

From CPJ.org:

Al-Dulaimi, a reporter for the privately owned TV station Al-Nahrain, and Muazaz Ahmed Barood, a telephone operator for the station, were kidnapped by men disguised as police officers at Diyala Bridge while driving home to Mada'in, a town 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, Abdulkarim al-Mehdawi, the station's general manager told CPJ.

Their bodies were discovered at al-Wihda district, 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Baghdad. Both men, in their late 20s, were shot in the chest, al-Mehdawi told CPJ.

Al-Dulaimi became a reporter for Al-Nahrain four months ago. Barood worked at the station since it was established just over a year and a half ago. The motive behind the murders is unclear. Al-Mehdawi told CPJ that neither the station nor the journalists had ever received threats.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, nearly three-fourths of all journalists killed in Iraq since 2003 have been Iraqis. These were brave men as are all the Iraqis in the journalism profession. In my opinion, sufficient evidence indicates that Iraqi journalists are specifically targeted by the scum murderers infesting the country. Condolences to their families and friends.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.