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Journalists Killed in 2009 - Motive Confirmed: Abdulkhafar Abdulkadir

freelance
December 3, 2009, in Mogadishu, Somalia

Three journalists were killed in a suicide bomb attack at a Benadir University graduation ceremony in the capital, Mogadishu.

In all, the explosion claimed the lives of at least 23 people, including several top government officials, according to news reports. Hassan Zubeyr, a cameraman for Al-Arabiya television, and Mohamed Amin, a Radio Shabelle reporter, were pronounced dead at the scene. Abdulkadir, a freelance photographer, died at a local hospital later in the day.

Minister of Information Dahir Mohamud Gelle told reporters that the suicide bomber was a suspected Al-Shabaab insurgent who was targeting government ministers attending the ceremony at the Hotel Shamo. Gelle said Health Minister Qamar Aden, Education Minister Ahmed Abdullahi, and Higher Education Minister Ibrahim Hassan were killed. The minister of sports and tourism, Suleiman Olad Roble, died two days later from injuries suffered in the attack.

Abdulkadir, 28, had gained attention in September, when he was the sole photojournalist to cover a suicide attack against African Union peacekeepers.

Topics: Freedom of expression,