RFE/RL Correspondent Missing in Baghdad

(Prague, Czech Republic—October 22, 2007) A Baghdad correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has been reported missing since this morning.

The correspondent, who works for RFE/RL’s Arabic-language Radio Free Iraq service, was on her way to an interview but never arrived. Police found the body of her driver, shot and dumped in the street. There is no trace of the car or RFE/RL’s correspondent.

RFE/RL President Jeffrey Gedmin expressed deep concern at the news. Gedmin said: “RFE/RL is focusing all attention now on finding out what has happened to our colleague. We are working with the authorities in Baghdad and are in constant touch with friends and family. We remain hopeful we will get her back safely.”

Radio Free Iraq, the Arabic-language service of RFE/RL, broadcasts five hours of original programming a day to Iraq, produced in Prague and the service’s Baghdad Bureau and transmitted to listeners via shortwave, satellite and AM and FM broadcasts from transmitters set up by the International Broadcasting Bureau in Baghdad, Suleimaniya and Erbil. Iraq Service programming is also available via the Internet, at the service’s website www.iraqhurr.org and at www.rferl.org; English-language news about events in Iraq can be found on the RFE/RL website.