Enzo Baldoni

Enzo G. Baldoni (October 8, 1948 – August 26, 2004) was an Italian journalist working freelance and for the Italian news magazine " [http://www.diario.it Diario] ". He was kidnapped near Najaf, Iraq, on August 21 2004, by the "Islamic Army in Iraq", a Muslim fundamentalist terrorist organization, allegedly linked with Al-Qaeda.

The Islamic Army released a videotape, aired on August 24 by Al Jazeera, in which it requested the withdrawal of Italian troops from Iraq in 48 hours. Failure to comply would result in Baldoni's execution. On August 26, Al Jazeera came into possession of a videotape depicting Baldoni's murder. This latter videotape wasn't aired because of its gruesome nature. The existence of this tape is based on claims made by Al Jazeera only. Other sources claim it is only a video frame or a still shot taken with a digital camera.

He had arrived in Baghdad only a few weeks earlier and served there also as a Red Cross volunteer. He leaves behind his wife and two children (23 and 25 years old).

Baldoni was born at Città di Castello, Umbria. Before becoming a freelance journalist he had founded the advertising agency "Le balene colpiscono ancora" ("The whales strike again") which orchestrated some very successful ad campaigns in Italy. Prior to becoming a successful advertising man he had done many odd jobs like mason (Belgium), gymnastics professor, photographer, interpreter and laboratory technician (chemistry). He was also noted for the Italian translation of Doonesbury comic strips.In his web log he defined himself as a very curious person interested to understand why people are driven to take up arms against one another. He also said to be very interested in social issues and Zen.

External links

* [http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/61001 Press freedom groups condemn killing] - IFEX