Iraqi journalist, cameraman shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Basra

While covering anti-government demonstrations, an Iraqi journalist and his cameraman were shot de by unkwn gunmen last week in Iraq's sourn city of Basra, officials said.   journalist, Ahmed Abdel Sam, 39 and cameraman Safaa Ghali, 37, belonged to Iraqi cable news outlet Dijla TV. unidentified gunmen approached ir car and opened fire on m, witnesses told a Qatari news channel. Ghali was rushed to a hospital in critical condition but later died. 

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On Saturday, US Embassy in Baghd confirmed  “assassinations” of journalist and cameraman in a statement.  embassy condemned killings as "deplorable" and "cowardly."  embassy also stated that it was  Iraqi government's responsibility to uphold right to freedom of expression as well as protect journalists and activists who should be allowed to demonstrate without fear of repercussions.  embassy also urged that perpetrators should be found and "brought to justice." It still remains unclear who or which group carried out killings. 

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" ongoing assassinations, kidnappings, harassment, and intimidation of members of press, social media activists, and pro-reform activists in Iraq by armed groups cant continue to go unpunished," embassy said. 

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Journalist criticized Iraqi forces on social media 

Journalist Ahmed Abdel Sam h recently criticised Iraqi security forces and Iran in his social media posts. According to Committee to Protect Journalists, he h posted a video criticising Iraqi security forces for arresting protesters in Basra but t taking action against those protesting in front of US Embassy in Baghd, hours before he was shot. Even before that, Sam h been critical of government. He h once tweeted that Iran was using daughter of General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike earlier this month, to incite vengeance. 

"Iran y are taking vant of everything for proxy war," Sam wrote on his twitter. 

(With ncy Inputs)

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