Free Press Watch Archive - Global Journalist

Iraq

CBS journalist freed in BasraPosted Apr 28 2008

CBS News journalist Richard Butler was rescued by Iraqi forces April 13 – two months after being captured by gunmen.

Iraqi police entered a house in Basra’s Jibiliya section to search for illegal weapons as part of a nation-wide military sweep. They found Butler seated with a hood over his head and his hands tied behind his back, according to BBC News.

Butler appeared to be in good condition and has said he was not mistreated while held captive.

Butler and his Iraqi interpreter were kidnapped at the Sultan Palace Hotel in Basra Feb. 10, CBS News reported. The translator was freed soon after. CBS News did not release the names of both men for their protection during negotiations with their captors.

Other updates from Iraq

Apr 2011: Journalist killed amid continued harassment
Mar 2011: Systematic attacks on news outlets in Iraq
Feb 2011: Gunmen murder Iraqi journalist
Apr 2010: WikiLeaks releases video of airstrike that killed two journalists
Feb 2010: Gunmen kidnap radio journalist from home
Feb 2010: U.S. military frees Iraqi journalist
Feb 2010: Journalists face new restrictive rules
Feb 2010: Iraqi Kurdish jounalist wins Gebran Tueni Award
Dec 2009: TV host wounded in attack
Oct 2009: 'Shoe-thrower' freed
Sep 2009: Reporter remains in U.S. custody one year later
Apr 2009: Shoe-thrower sentence reduced to one year
Apr 2009: U.N. calls for greater safety
Apr 2009: Journalists divided on "shoe" verdict
Apr 2008: AP photographer released from U.S. custody
Apr 2008: Two CBS journalists abducted in Basra
Apr 2008: Head of Iraq’s journalist union killed
Oct 2007: Two more journalists murdered in Iraq
Oct 2007: Martial Arts for journalists working in Iraq
Jul 2007: Journalists' death toll increases