Iraqi journalists 'disappear' in US army hands

The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). is demanding an explanation from US and Iraqi military forces regarding the whereabouts of least eight Iraqi journalists who have been detained since March 2005.A US military spokesman told CPJ that the journalists pose a "security risk to the Iraqi people and coalition forces." No further details were given. All work for Western news organisations. None of the journalists have been formally charged. Two are thought to be missing employees of Agence France-Presse - reporter Ammar Daham Naef Khalaf, who was detained by U.S. troops on 11 April in Ramadi, and photographer Fares Nawaf al-Issaywi, who was arrested in Fallujah on 1 May. A third individual reportedly works for CBS News. Another detainee, Hassan al-Shummari, reports for the privately owned satellite station Diyar TV, says CPJ. He was detained in Diyala province in March or early April and remains in custody. US officials have often alleged that some Iraqi journalists collaborate with Iraqi insurgents. But the military have rarely tried to provided evidence to substantiate their claims.