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Alert

Journalist, companion safe after spending 50 days in captivity

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has welcomed the news that journalist Sohail Qalandar, of "The Daily Express" newspaper, and his companion Muhammad Niaz are safe and sound in Peshawar after reportedly managing to escape from their kidnappers on the night of 20 February 2007. They spent 50 days in captivity in the tribal areas of northwestern Pakistan.

"We pay tribute to the courage of Qalandar, who was held captive in very harsh conditions," the press freedom organisation said. "This was just the latest of many cases of Pakistani journalists being kidnapped. The authorities should be doing more to combat this phenomenon."

The escape of Qalandar and his friend coincided with the arrival in Pakistan of an international mission that includes Reporters Without Borders. According to initial reports, they managed to call for help while being transferred from one place of captivity to another, and escaped during an exchange of shots involving their captors.

Qalandar and Niaz were kidnapped on 2 January by persons of Pashtun origin. Qalandar said he did not know who they were, but some of their demands were related to the fact that he was a journalist.

They were tied up for most of their time in captivity, and were subjected to mistreatment and intimidation. They were forbidden to pray and were often injected with tranquillizers. They lost weight and were exhausted after their escape. They thanked their colleagues, the authorities and journalists' organisations for campaigning for their release.