📌Journalists in Raqqa Unaccounted For – Immediate Clarification Required
The lack of communication with Kurdistana Azad contributor and Özgür TV presenter Ahmed Polad, along with international journalist Eva Maria Michelmann (Tekoşin), who were present in the city during assault of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on Raqqa, has caused grave concern.
Ahmed Polad, a member of the Free Press Union (YRA), is known to have transmitted video reports from a building under intense attack in order to inform the public. It is reported that the two journalists, who became targets for documenting and conveying the realities on the ground, have been taken captive by HTS, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Any attempt to silence, detain, or target journalists constitutes a clear violation of international law. Even in situations of armed conflict, the safety and security of journalists must be guaranteed in accordance with international legal standards.
We issue the following urgent call:
•The fate and whereabouts of Ahmed Polad and Eva Maria Michelmann must be immediately disclosed.
•Their safety must be ensured and they must be released without delay.
•International press freedom and human rights organizations must urgently engage in this matter.