Press Releases

April 24, 2005

Associated Press photographer released from U.S. custody


BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Mohammed Ibrahim, a photographer working for The Associated Press, was released Sunday by the U.S. military, which had held him after a shooting in which a television cameraman working for The AP was killed.

Ibrahim was wounded when gunfire broke out after an explosion Saturday in the northern city of Mosul. Saleh Ibrahim, a television cameraman working for The Associated Press, was killed in the same incident. The two men were brothers-in-law.

Mohammed Ibrahim said U.S. forces escorted him and his brother, Wamidh, who contributes to European Pressphoto Agency, from the hospital hours after the shooting and released them after nearly 24 hours in detention.

A U.S. military official, who would not allow the use of his name, said the two men had been "caught up in the sweep after the situation."

Col. Wathiq Ali, the deputy police chief in Mosul, said Saturday's explosion targeted a U.S. patrol. The three journalists drove to the scene together. Gunfire broke out, and both Saleh Ibrahim and Mohammed Ibrahim were hit.

Hospital officials said Saleh Ibrahim sustained gunshot and shrapnel wounds. Mohammed Ibrahim was treated for shards of glass at the back of the head