ALBAWABA - As war in Sudan continues between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, streets in the country are no longer safe for anyone, especially for journalists who document the truth.
An "armed force" kidnapped journalist Alaa El-Din Abu Harba from his home in the East Nile area, which is under the control of the Rapid Support Forces, according to the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate's statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, the armed group requested a ransom of one million Sudanese pounds (about $300) for his release, or they would "kill" him. The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate described the kidnapping as a "dangerous curve".
A video of Abu Harba handcuffed while in the custody of the armed gang was posted on social media in which he calls for help from his family.
Nonetheless, when the armed gang received the ransom, they refused to release the Sudanese journalist and demanded another one million Sudanese pounds instead.
In addition, in the statement, the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate condemned "this barbaric criminal act" and held the Rapid Support Forces fully responsible for the life of journalist Abu Harba, stressing that "threatening his life or exchanging it for it represents a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms."
On August 16, an armed group of five individuals raided the home of Sudanese journalist Abdel Rahman Hanin in East Nile, in Khartoum, and looted some property, according to the syndicate.
It also detailed that freedom of the press, media and freedom of expression in Sudan are facing the most serious threats since the war, which started on April 15, 2023, noting that it has documented 438 violations against journalists since the outbreak of the war in Sudan.
