Syrian rebels set to execute Ukrainian journalist

Russia Today ^ | 13 Dec 2012 | anon

[BlackVeil]

NGOs are urging Syrian rebels to release a Ukrainian journalist, Anhar Kochneva, who is set to be executed Thursday. Meanwhile the group behind the kidnapping warned it would now target all Russians, Ukrainians and Iranians on Syrian soil.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), ARTICLE 19, the International Press Institute and Reporters Without Borders issued a joint statement expressing deep concern about Kochneva’s life and urging the leadership of the Free Syrian Army and of the Syrian Opposition Coalition to ensure that the journalist is safe and set free.

The groups also called on the French, British and US governments, as well as the European Union to work with the Syrian opposition to facilitate her release.

Kochneva, who has reported critically about the Syrian rebels for Russian and Ukrainian news outlets, was captured in the beginning of October near the restive city of Homs. The kidnappers, allegedly members of the Free Syrian Army, threatened to kill her on December 13 if a US$ 50 million ransom is not paid.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian authorities urged Damascus to work more actively to help free the journalist. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Aleksandr Dikusarov said that Kiev expects “concrete results” in attempts to release her.

In response to the Ukrainian demands, Kochneva’s kidnappers posted a video in which they threatened to target the embassies of Ukraine, Russia, as well as all Russians, Ukrainians and Iranians in Syria. ...

[BlackVeil]

This story is also reported in more mainstream news outlets, such as Associated Press. Very sad.

[freedomfiter2]

But I thought the rebels were the good guys. I’m shocked.

[BlackVeil]

Yes, they must be good guys. And Hilary Clinton has been touring around getting support for them.

So ... kidnapping and killing journalists must be ok.

[Truth29]

If the Russians want to, they have means of dealing with situations like this that the West does not. A journalist will probably not get that type of Russian response, but the tools are there.

[BCW]

Islamic rebels beheading a journalist — something is wrong in Allah-land....you just never hear of such violent acts...(sarcasm)

Why anyone would cover any conflict involving Moslems is beyond me - they always go for the easy soft targets — and some moron news guy ends up catching it because they are convinced that the world, “Wants to know your story!” Islam could care less...there should be a total ban on news coverage of Islam so called “Democratic Revolution” and more coverage on why we should keep that entire mindset contained!

[nuconvert]

They don’t see the Russians (this reporter tho Ukranian was reporting for Russians) and Iranians as being the good guys, since they’re sending in men & arms to support Assad.

[meatloaf]

For one thing, the Christians in Syria are going to be losers if the invaders succeed in deposing Assad.

[driftless2]

Further evidence that the best solution might yet be to blanket these murderous, nitwit Islamic countries with neutron bombs. Except there are Christian minorities in Syrian and other Islamic countries who would be killed as well. There must be some to gather all the Jihadis in one area the better to massacre them. And then abolish Islam forever.

[Venturer]

Journalists do not give a flying fudge about others dying, but by all means lets not kill a reporter. That IS a mortal sin.

[Joe Boucher]

Whole lot of “journalists” I wouldn’t mind being executed.
Right Mr. Rather??

[Pollster1]

If the Russians want to, they have means of dealing with situations like this that the West does not. A journalist will probably not get that type of Russian response, but the tools are there.

I hope the Russians will respond firmly, even though she's "just" a journalist. There is no excuse for giving in to ransom demands, or even for permitting these evil terrorists to live.

[ZX12R]

I would love to see the Russians target these apes. Come on, Putin, unleash the merciless killers on them.

[muawiyah]

Well, with Hillary behind this that means it’s OK by the gub’mnt to off NYT and WarshPost reporterettes too ~ wonder if they know that yet?

[Pollster1]

Not guilty, but I can understand the terrorist thugs wanting to keep her.

[BCW]

just like Lebanon in 1975...

[Justa]

If the execution occurs as the result of a ‘spontaneous demonstration’ it’ll be ok though, right?

[BlackVeil]

It would be more than ok - the only fault would be that of the victim.

If any silly film can be found, which “incited” this event, then it’s all good.