Journalist’s video causes outrage

ISTANBUL

There is growing public outrage after a Turkish journalist kidnapped in the Syrian city of Aleppo was depicted as a terrorist in a video released by regime forces.

The International Press Institute (IPI) called for the immediate release of Cüneyt Ünal, a cameraman with the U.S.-funded Arabic-language satellite station Alhurra, as well as Alhurra correspondent Bashar Fahmi, who is also missing in Syria since Aug. 20. “We call on the Syrian authorities to ensure the immediate release of all journalists and citizen reporters for whose captivity they are responsible,” said IPI deputy director Anthony Mills.

Ünal’s family concerned

Ünal’s family also voiced concerns for his life and security. Nuran Ünal, the wife of the kidnapped journalist, told Anatolia news agency that it is clear in the video that her husband was forced to make a statement that was dictated to him.

In the video from al-Ikhbariya news channel, Ünal says he traveled in the country with armed groups. The U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors has also called for the immediate release of Fahmi and Ünal. k HDN