Tikrit-based woman journalist arrested for second time in less than two weeks

Reporters Without Borders voiced concern today on learning that Kalchan Al-Bayati was arrested again yesterday in Tikrit. A freelance journalist who writes for the daily Al-Hayat, Bayati has often criticised the US occupation in her articles. “This is the second time in less than two weeks that Bayati has been arrested and held by the Iraqi security forces,” the press freedom organisation said. “We demand that the Iraqi authorities give an explanation.” Bayati was previously arrested on 11 September because the Iraqi security forces suspected her of being linked to armed groups. She was released two days later. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13.09.2006 Tikrit-based woman journalist freed after being held by Iraqui authorities for two days Reporters Without Borders voiced relief today on learning that Iraqi journalist Kalchan Al-Bayati was released today after being held by the authorities for two days. She said she was not mistreated while in custody and that she was detained on suspicion of helping the rebel groups about which she is currently preparing an article. A freelance contributor to the Al-Hayat daily newspaper, Bayati was arrested by Iraqi security forces at her home in Tikrit on the evening of 11 September. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12.09.2006 Concern over arrest of woman journalist by Iraqi security forces Reporters Without Borders today called for the immediate release of Khalchan Al Bayati, a contributor to the Arabic-language daily Al Hayat and critic of the US occupation, who was arrested at her home in Tikrit last night by Iraqi security forces and was taken to an unknown location. “We are very worried by Bayati's arrest, especially as we have no information about the reason or where she is being held,” the press freedom organisation said. “Iraqi journalists have to work in extremely difficult conditions. More than 100 have been killed in the past three years. It is shocking to see them also being targeted by the security forces, who are supposed to protect them. We call on interior minister Jawad Al Bolany to intervene and get her released immediately.” Bayati, who has been a contributor to Al Hayat for several years, has on several occasions condemned the US occupation of Iraq in her articles. Reached by Reporters Without Borders, an Iraqi official who asked not to identified confirmed that Bayati had been detained but he did not know where she had been taken and did not specify the reason for her arrest. Many journalists have reported that the Iraqi security forces have become much more aggressive towards the media in recent weeks. Twelve journalists were arrested while covering peaceful demonstrations in the Sulaimaniya region (in the Kurdish north) in August, and in some cases they were held for several hours and their photographic equipment was destroyed. An Associated Press correspondent was also banned from covering these demonstrations. A total of 104 journalists and media assistants have been killed since the start of the war in 2003, while two are missing and three are currently held hostage.