MOSUL, Sept 13: Gunmen kidnapped and killed on Saturday a four-member Iraqi television crew filming a popular Ramazan programme, just hours after 10 people were slain in two separate bombings in the country.

The Al Sharqiyah employees were kidnapped in the Al Zangili area of Mosul while on assignment for the popular programme “Futurqum Alena” (Dinner on us), the channel and security officials told AFP.

The four bullet-riddled bodies were later found near Al Zangili, security officials added. Al Sharqiyah said the crew consisted of Mosul bureau chief Musab Al Azzawi, the son of Sunni lawmaker Mohammed Al Azzawi, cameramen Ahmed Salim and Ihab Ma’ad and driver Kidar Suleman.

“Al-Sharqiyah mourns the death of its employees, who were killed by the dark forces trying to ruin security in Iraq, gag freedom of speech and who are chasing the independent and patriotic media,” a statement said.

“The four employees were doing their duty while filming ‘Futurqum Alena’ in the afternoon when they were kidnapped. The gunmen later killed them.”

“Futurqum Alena” is a popular programme in which journalists visit families and share an iftar meal to break the dawn-to-dusk fast. The channel later gives gifts to the hosts.

Al Sharqiyah news chief Ali Wajih accused state-owned Al Iraqiyah television of being morally responsible for the killings.

He said Al Iraqiyah had waged “a campaign of slander against the journalists working in Al Sharqiyah” after the latter aired a report showing “torture in Iraqi prisons”.—AFP