A German woman was kidnapped Monday evening on the Tigris ledge in central Baghdad, a few meters from its center, Tarkib, known for supporting and exhibiting young artists, a security source told AFP.
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" Hella Mewis was kidnapped by unidentified men in two vehicles, including a white pick-up used by some security forces ", while she was cycling on the avenue Abou Nouwas, which runs along the Tigre in Karrada, a neighborhood in central Baghdad, the source said. The kidnapping took place not far from a police station but no police intervened, the source added. Hella Mewis' phone was disconnected Monday evening and the German embassy declined to comment on the information.
Since the beginning of the year, two French journalists have been held hostage for several days, as well as three humanitarian workers, released after two months of captivity and who had been kidnapped with an Iraqi in the same district of Karrada. Since an unprecedented popular revolt broke out in October, dozens of activists have been murdered or kidnapped, for shorter or longer periods, while others are still missing.
"Campaign of terror"
Amnesty International denounced " a campaign of terror ", citing " harassment, intimidation, kidnappings and deliberate killings attributed by the UN to militias ". The authorities have since ensured that they cannot identify the perpetrators.
Recently, the assassination in front of his home in Baghdad of researcher Hicham al-Hachémi has revived fears of new political assassinations, in a country that was customary during the years of civil war (2006-2009) but where they have since become very rare.
A friend of Hella Mewis told AFP that she was worried since the assassination because Hicham al-Hachemi was known to have taken up the cause of the October demonstrators. " I spoke to her last week and because she had played an active role in the protests, she was worried after this assassination, " Dhikra Sarsam told AFP.