Home > Iraqi police threaten to arrest reporters in Najaf
Iraqi police brandishing rifles threatened to arrest journalists unless they left Najaf on Sunday, raising fears among local reporters they were attempting to impose a news blackout on the holy city.
At least 20 reporters had travelled to the southern Iraqi town, where Shi’ite militiamen fought fierce battles with U.S. and Iraqi forces, after the collapse of peace talks aimed at ending fighting that has killed hundreds.
Najaf police chief Ghaleb al-Jazaeri told a news conference all media should leave by noon (0800 GMT), saying he would not be able to guarantee their safety after the deadline passed.
Police fired shots in the air then arrested an Iraqi journalist working for Iran’s state-run Arabic language television station as he was broadcasting from the roof of a house in Najaf, the channel told Reuters in Tehran.
The channel, Al-Alam, identified the reporter as an Iraqi called Mohammad al-Kazem.
A group of policemen armed with rifles and pistols also went to a hotel where foreign and Iraqi reporters were staying and told them to leave the city, a Reuters reporter at the scene said.
"I have an order that all journalists must leave Najaf now. Anyone who does not leave will be arrested," said a police lieutenant, who gave his name as Mohammed.
Iraqi journalists argued with the police, but the police appeared determined to make sure that they left. (Reuters)