Spanish photographer released on same day he was kidnapped

Reporters Without Borders voiced relief today after learning that Spanish photographer Emilio Morenatti was freed yesterday evening, after being held for less than a day by the gunmen who kidnapped him outside his Gaza City home yesterday morning. The authorities have not revealed the identity of his kidnappers. The press freedom organisations called for a transparent investigation. “Journalists are not bargaining chips for use in settling scores,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Eight journalists have been kidnapped in the Gaza Strip since the start of the year, so it is vital that the authorities send a clear message by arresting Morenatti's abductors.” Morenatti, who works for the US news agency Associated Press, was taken to a small room and held there for four hours by his kidnappers, who never removed their masks. He was then transferred to another location, dressed as a woman in a long veil. The Palestinian security services meanwhile contacted his kidnappers and got them to release him shortly before midnight. --------------------------------------------------------------- 24.10.2006 Spanish photographer kidnapped by gunmen in Gaza Reporters Without Borders said it was extremely worried by the kidnapping of Emilio Morenatti, a Spanish photographer with the US news agency Associated Press, in the Gaza Strip this morning. “We firmly condemn Morenatti's abduction and we call on the Palestinian authorities to do everything possible to get him released quickly,” the press freedom organisation said. “He is the eighth journalist to be kidnapped in the Gaza Strip since the start of the year. All were freed safe and sound but no investigation has ever been concluded and none of the kidnappers has been punished.” Reporters Without Borders added: “Journalists have become a favourite target of the armed groups that operate in Gaza with a disturbing degree of impunity.” The organisation wrote to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in August voicing alarm about the climate of violence for journalists in Gaza and demanding effective measures to ensure their safety. Morenatti, 37, was kidnapped by four masked gunmen as he left his home in Arrimal, in the western part of Gaza City. His assistant, Majid Hamdan, said they stuck a gun to his head as he waited for Morenatti in an Associated Press car outside, taking his keys and mobile phone. Then they drove off with Morenatti in a white car. No group has so far claimed the kidnapping.