BAGHDAD, Iraq—Iraqi journalist Afrah al-Shawqi has been abducted from her home by unknown gunmen in the capital Baghdad, the police said, hours after she wrote an article against armed groups.
Al-Shawqi, a journalist and head of the media department of the ministry of culture’s art section was abducted by a group of unknown gunmen who stormed her house in a pickup truck Monday night, the police said.
Al-Shawqi is believed to have been abducted in retaliation for an article she published on Monday criticizing armed groups who roamed the country with impunity.
In the article published on www.aklaam.org she also blames the government for not curbing the power of militia groups and urges the state to punish anyone who uses illegal weapons, especially on university and school campuses.
Al-Shawqi’s sister Nibras al-Shawqi confirmed the abduction of her sister.
Al-Shawqi, a graduate of Baghdad University’s school of journalism was also a former employee the Alif Ba magazine.
Her sister told the media that the gunmen took from al-Shawqi’s home jewelries and an amount of money.
She hasn’t been heard of since the gunmen sped away with al-Shawqi in their car, she added.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi asked the police to follow up on al-Shawqi’s case and rescue her, said his office on Tuesday.
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