Horror at execution of Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni

Reporters Without Borders expressed revulsion today at the "barbaric" death of Italian freelance journalist Enzo Baldoni, 56, who was executed in Iraq last night by his kidnappers, according to the pan-Arab TV news station Al-Jazeera and the Italian news agency Ansa. The Italian authorities also confirmed and condemned his execution. Baldoni worked for the independent weekly Diario della Settimana. "We are horrified by what has happened," the international press freedom organisation said. "We express our full support for Enzo Baldoni's family and friends and we undertake to do everything possible to ensure that those responsible for this abominable killing are identified and brought to trial." Baldoni's execution obviously reinforced concerns about French journalists Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot, of whom there has been no word since 19 August, Reporters Without Borders said. "But their situation is completely different as no one has claimed responsibility for any kidnapping and we continue to think that their nationality works in their favour," it added. Baldoni went missing on 19 August, and a group calling itself the Islamic Army in Iraq claimed responsibility for his abduction on 24 August. His kidnappers said they could not continue to guarantee his safety if Italy did not withdraw its troops from Iraq within 48 hours. Baldoni's family appealed for his release in a message broadcast on 25 August by the Italian public television service Rai Uno. The message, also carried by Al-Jazeera, talked of a "man of peace" and insisted that Baldoni was in Iraq for humanitarian reasons. He had participated in the transport of medicine to Najaf in two convoys operated by the Red Crescent and the Italian Red Cross. Reporters Without Borders had appealed yesterday to Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani to use all of his authority to put an end to the tragic series of hostage-takings that has accompanied the fighting in Najaf for nearly two weeks. It stressed that "journalists are civilians and should under no circumstances be used as bargaining chips or as a way to apply political pressure."