[ad_1]
August 25, 2024 (Khartoum) – An armed group kidnapped a journalist in an area controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Sudanese capital and demanded a ransom, the Sudanese Journalists Union said on Sunday.
The union said Alaa Eldin Abu Harba was taken from his home in eastern Khartoum on Friday.
Reports said the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of 1 million Sudanese pounds ($365), and after receiving the ransom, they demanded 1 billion Sudanese pounds.
“This puts Abu Haba’s life in serious danger,” the union said in a statement, holding the Rapid Security Forces responsible for his safety.
RSF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
There has been widespread lawlessness in the capital since fighting broke out in April between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Security Forces.
Journalists’ unions have documented 438 violations against journalists since the start of the conflict, including four killings.
Earlier this month, the home of another journalist, Abdul Rahman Hanin, was attacked by an armed group in eastern Khartoum and valuables and cash were stolen, the union said.
The report also said the men threatened Hanin’s wife and children and stole laptops, mobile phones, cash and gold jewelry.
On August 12, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, nicknamed “Hemedti,” announced the formation of a special unit tasked with protecting civilians. The announcement came in response to growing complaints from civilians about abuses in RSF-controlled areas, including attacks on homes, rape, and theft.
[ad_2]
Source link
