Radio reporter killed in Iraq

Reporters Without Borders said the murder of Koussai Kahdban, an Iraqi journalist with local radio station Al-Bilad, who was shot by gunmen on 22 April 2006 in Baghdad, brings the total journalist killed in Iraq to 40.

His death brought the number of journalists and media assistants killed in Iraq since the start of the war in March 2003 to 88, of whom 12 have been killed since the beginning of 2006.

"This horrible deed once again serves to remind us that Iraq is the world's most dangerous country for journalists," the organization said, adding "Journalists are also the target of abductions. Reem Zeid, Marwan Khazaal and Salah Jali al-Gharrawi are all still being held hostage."

A total of 40 journalists and media assistants have been kidnapped since the start of the war. Five of them (four Iraqis and Enzo Baldoni of Italy) were killed by their abductors. Twenty-six of these kidnappings took place in or near Baghdad.