LOC14:37
11:37 GMT
PARIS, Nov 3 (KUNA) -- UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova on Friday condemned the killing of Iraqi Cameraman Arkan Sharifi, who was stabbed to death by armed men in his home earlier this week in the Iraqi city of Daquq.
"I condemn the murder of Arkan Sharifi," said Bokova in a statement, adding, "In the interest of defending both freedom of expression and freedom of information, I urge the authorities to investigate this crime and take all legal steps available to end violence against the media."
Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) this week expressed an "alarm" at the violence meted out against media professionals and offices in northern Iraq in areas controlled by Federal Iraqi forces and in zones under Kurdish control.
Iraq, along with Syria, is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists and it is ranked 158 out of 180 among nations on the RWB "World Press Freedom Index".
Arkan Sharifi, was stabbed to death on October 30, by a number of unidentified gunmen after they stormed his house in the village of Haftaghar in Daquq. He was working for "Kurdistan TV" at the time of his assassination. (end)
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