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Norwegian journalist in Libya released
[15.04.2011, 06:37am, Fri. GMT]
Norwegian journalist Ammar al-Hamdan, who was arrested on while on assignment in Libya for the television channel Al Jazeera and the Norwegian news magazine Ny Tid, has been released. He was arrested together with three colleagues by Libyan security forces on Monday 7 March, and held imprisoned in Tripoli until his release Thursday.The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was notified of Mr al-Hamdan’s arrest on Thursday 10 March and has been seeking to secure his release since then.

- I am pleased that the Norwegian journalist Ammar al-Hamdan is now safely out of Libya, and I would like to thank all those who have helped to make this possible, says Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Ammar al-Hamdan is a Norwegian citizen with Palestinian and Iraqi background.

In an interview with NRK, Ammar al-Hamdan says he was the last of the four to be released, and that while in prison he was constantly threatened and was sure he would be killed.

- When I was released it felt as if I was born anew, he said in the telephone interview with NRK.

- Mr. al-Hamdan’s case demonstrates the vulnerability of journalists who are covering armed conflict. It is worrying that journalists are facing increasingly greater obstacles when working in conflict areas, saiys Foreign Minister Støre. - Norway will continue to raise this issue in various international forums, including the UN Human Rights Council.

(NRK/Press release)
 
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