A Lebanese television journalist has been detained by a rebel group in Syria who said that his reports were “not compatible with the revolution.”
Fida Itani is being held by Abu Ibrahim, who has been described as a simple criminal by activists.
The journalist’s employer, private television channel LBCI have confirmed that he has been captured.
The Azaaz Northern Storm Brigade group, which is based in the Aleppo province near the border with Turkey, claimed responsibility for Itani’s capture on its Facebook page.
The group did not provide details of his whereabouts, but said: “The work of journalist Fida Itani is not compatible with the revolution...we therefore have placed him under arrest for a short time.”
It said he would be released "as soon as remaining information requested about him is gathered.”
Abu Ibrahim’s group gained notoriety after it claimed responsbility for kidnapping a group of Lebanese Shiite pilgrims earlier this year.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Itani had investigated their kidnapping: "He had investigated the kidnapping of 11 Lebanese Shiite pilgrims last August... and he then came into contact with the kidnappers."
"The organisation urges the kidnappers to set Fida Itani free, without delay, without conditions," RSF added.
DCMF has urged the Syrian authorities and rebel groups to stop targeting journalists, and has expressed solidarity with members of the media in Syria.
Source: AFP
