Kidnapped French TV soundman Mohammed Ouathi freed after nine days

Reporters Without Borders hailed the release today of Mohammed Ouathi, a soundman working for French TV station France 3 who was kidnapped in Gaza on 14 August. The organisation expressed its joy and relief to Ouathi's family and colleagues, and thanked all those who helped obtained his release, especially the Palestinian and French authorities. ----------------------------------------------------------------- 19.08.05 Growing concern about fate of kidnapped TV soundman Mohammed Ouathi Reporters Without Borders today said its concern has been mounting steadily ever since Mohammed Ouathi, a soundman working for the French TV station France 3, was kidnapped in Gaza on 14 August. "We must wait before talking about what may have happened to Ouathi and about the identity of his abductors, but we must begin at once to campaign on his behalf," the press freedom organisation said. "Five foreigners who were kidnapped in the past two months were released quickly. So Ouathi's case seems worrying, especially in view of the current climate of insecurity and impunity in Gaza." Reporters Without Borders added: "We would like to express our full support for Ouathi's family at this difficult time, and we reiterate our appeal to the Palestinian authorities to take all possible initiatives to ensure that he is released as soon as possible." Ouathi was returning to his hotel on the evening of 14 August with three other members of a France 3 TV crew - Gwenaëlle Lenoir, Michel Anglade and Franck Pairaud - when they were intercepted by three gunmen who did not have their faces covered. The other crew members managed to escape but Ouathi was taken away at gunpoint.