Turkey to intervene in rescue efforts

Johannesburg-based photojournalist Shiraaz Mohamed was kidnapped in Syria. Picture: Facebook

Johannesburg-based photojournalist Shiraaz Mohamed was kidnapped in Syria. Picture: Facebook

Published Jan 18, 2017

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Johannesburg – Turkish governor Bulent Uygur vowed to “intervene” as the search for Johannesburg-based photojournalist Shiraaz Mohamed in Syria entered its seventh day yesterday.

Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers charity, said the foundation received a vow of support from Uygur after meeting with the governor on the border of Turkey and Syria.

Mohamed is believed to have been kidnapped in Syria last week by individuals who said they “represent all groups inside Syria,” near the Gift of the Givers Foundation’s Al-Hilal Hospital.

Gift of the Givers had been hosting Mohamed in Syria, where he had been documenting the lives of adults and children in the war-torn country.

“We have also met with individuals from London, who said they have connections inside Syria who might be able to help find him.”

He said the foundation had not received any ransom demands since Mohamed disappeared.

The organisation is spearheading efforts to return him safely.

Sooliman said the kidnappers seemed to have singled out Mohamed in the group he was travelling with to take him in for questioning regarding a “misunderstanding”.

He said following Mohamed's “capture” in Darkoush one of their medical team members, Dr Ahmad Ghandour, was summoned to the Investigation Department of An Nusra, now Fath Al Sham, an ex al-Qaeda affiliate, to answer questions on Mohamed.

“He met two armed men in military uniform, faces veiled, and was taken blindfolded to some area.

“He had to wait in isolation for one hour and was then questioned. They wanted to know what ‘misunderstanding’ was being referred to by those who captured Shiraaz.

Sooliman said Ahmad was safely transported to his sister's house.

The An Nusra people from Syria indicated they would assist in the search for Mohamed.

Cape Times

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