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Pakistan told to find journalist
A court in Pakistan has ordered officials to find a journalist who has been missing for nearly a month. Khawar Mehdi Rizvi was arrested in December with two French reporters who were investigating the Taleban presence in the country. He was "guiding" them. They were later deported but Mr Rizviâs family says he is still in custody . Karachiâs high court told officials to state Mr Rizviâs whereabouts within two days but the authorities say they have no idea where he is. Thatâs a bad sign. The BBCâs Paul Anderson in Islamabad says that Mr Rizvi was paraded on Pakistani television several days after he was arrested, but he has not been seen since. Maybe he slipped and fell down a flight of stairs? That happens to reporters, just ask the Iranians. Human rights organisations like Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders have taken up the case, saying they fear for Mr Rizviâs safety. He and the two French journalists were arrested in an area bordering Afghanistan. The trio had been investigating the presence of Taleban fighters in the area, and had interviewed a man they alleged was a lower-ranking Taleban commander. Just happened to find them. The two Frenchmen, Marc Epstein and Jean-Paul Guilloteau of the weekly LâExpress, were charged with violating the terms of their visas and sentenced to six months in prison. They were deported a few days later after intense lobbying by French diplomats. Donât forget their valiant two hour hunger strike. Posted by: Steve 2004-01-20 |
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