Mogadishu, Somalia, June 23, 2006 – A Swedish cameraman who has worked for Channel 4 News was today shot dead during a demonstration in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

The cameraman was shot in the chest at close range by someone who then disappeared in the crowd, news agency Associated Press claimed.

An AP journalist witnessed the shooting while another western reporter, who was walking with the victim, was unhurt.

The victim is not being named until his family has been informed. However, the Swedish foreign ministry said the man was a Swedish citizen working as a cameraman for Channel 4.

Channel 4 confirmed today that while he had worked for Channel 4 News in the past, the cameraman had not been commissioned to work for the broadcaster in Mogadishu.

In a statement, Channel 4 said the man had been a "longtime friend" of the network and said it was "deeply saddened" to hear of his death.

Somalis had been demonstrating in the country's capital in support of an agreement between the country's government and the Islamist group that controls Mogadishu.

The agreement calls for an immediate ceasefire and confers militia recognition on the interim administration.

The demonstrators, who also were protesting against neighboring Ethiopia's alleged interference in Somali affairs, fled Tarbuunka Square in panic after the solitary gunshot rang out.

In February 2005, an unidentified gunman shot dead BBC journalist Kate Peyton, a BBC Africa producer, in Mogadishu.

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Source: The Observer

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