Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/08/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]August 24, 2008 A QUEENSLAND-BASED photographer is believed to have been abducted by unidentified armed rebels in Somalia.Foreign Affairs officials are seeking to confirm reports that Brisbane-based photographer Nigel Brennan has been taken captive near the capital, Mogadishu. Somalian police reported today that two freelance journalists, an Australian man and a Canadian woman, were kidnapped on a road about 25km from Mogadishu. The pair were reportedly attempting to visit nearby refugee camps. Canadian media outlet Nationalpost.com has named the Canadian as Amanda Lindhout, 27, from Alberta. She reportedly arrived in the country with an Australian friend, understood to be Mr Brennan. Staff at the Hotel Shamo in Mogadishu, where the two were staying, said they did not return as planned from a brief trip outside the capital. Journalists and humanitarian workers are frequently abducted in Somalia, a country devastated by civil war since 1991. Most kidnappings include ransom demands. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website warns "of widespread armed conflict, very high threat of terrorist attack against western interests'' and advises Australians against travel to Somalia. "Westerners have been targeted and killed in terrorist attacks throughout Somalia, including Mogadishu. Foreigners, including Australians, have been kidnapped.'' Mr Brennan studied photography at Griffith University. He has worked as a freelance photographer for several regional and national publications. He was a photographer at the Bundaberg NewsMail newspaper for 12 months until January. - AAP Cheers Geoff http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman/e http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/