BBC: Yemen must 'ensure safety of journalists'

The BBC has called on authorities in Yemen to "ensure the safety of all journalists reporting from the country", reporting that its Arabic correspondent Abdullah Ghorab was "targeted" in an attack.

In a statement the BBC said the attack took place on Wednesday (15 February), when Ghorab was covering a demonstration before being "deliberately targeted" along with his two brothers.

The broadcaster said Ghorab was able to get away but that his brothers "were badly beaten up and had to receive hospital treatment for their injuries".

According to the BBC this is not the first case involving Ghorab, adding that he "has been detained and assaulted on two previous occasions".

"We are deeply concerned that this was a deliberate attack and we condemn it in the strongest terms," controller for language services at the BBC World Service Liliane Landor said in a release.

"We call on the authorities in Yemen to ensure the safety of all journalists reporting from the country in very difficult circumstances.

"Attacks of this nature only serve to harm the country in the eyes of the world. It is essential all journalists are able to report freely on events in Yemen without fear of violence and intimidation".

In the most recent press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders, Yemen was said to have received its "worst ever" ranking, falling one place to 171st out of 179 countries.

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