Suspected gangs kidnapped another Haitian journalist as colleagues demanded his release, a government office announced Wednesday.
The journalist has been identified by the Citizens’ Protection Office as Jean Thony Lorthé, who works for Radio Vision 2000.
Local media reported that Lorthé was on his way to a funeral with two other people, including his brother, a professor, when they were kidnapped last Friday in the Laboule 12 district of Port-au-Prince.
A gang called the Ti Makak, which translates to “Little Macaques”, are known to control the Laboule community. Last year, gang members killed two other journalists who were reporting in the area.
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Suspected gangs have taken another Haitian journalist as the country’s kidnapping problem continues.
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The Haitian Journalists’ Association has asked the kidnappers to release the group, noting that Lorthé’s family is unable to pay a ransom and that the journalist suffers from serious health problems.
“The widespread insecurity raging in the country, characterized by acts of murder, kidnapping and beatings, has a major impact on the journalism profession in Haiti,” the association told online news site AlterPresse.
The number of reported abductions rose to more than 1,200 last year, more than double the previous year’s figure, according to the United Nations. At least seven journalists were killed in Haiti last year, and many more remain missing, including including freelance photographer Vladjimir Legagneur, who passed away in March 2018 after last being seen in the Grand Ravine area.
