Iraqi journalist Afrah Shawqi Hammudi was released Tuesday (January 3rd), a week after being abducted from her Baghdad home by gunmen , her sister and security officials said.
"It is true," her sister Nibras Shawqi told AFP in a text message when asked about reports of her sibling's release.
Iraq's Joint Operations Command in Baghdad also confirmed she was free.
Hammudi, 43, is employed by Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, as well as a number of news websites, including Aklaam. She specialises in investigative journalism and women's issues.
During a press conference before news of her release on Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had said that the motives of the kidnapping were both political and criminal.
