The Diplomat
Two Spanish journalists, David Beriain and Roberto Fraile, have been killed while reporting on poaching in eastern Burkina Faso, Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya confirmed yesterday.
Reporter David Beriain and cameraman Roberto Fraile were doing a report on the protection of the environment and wildlife and were part of a patrol made up of military personnel, journalists and instructors when they were attacked on Monday by several armed individuals near the border with Togo and Benin, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Security sources quoted by a Burkinabe news portal said that the three foreigners (the two Spaniards and an Irishman) had been executed by the armed groups that had abducted them.
Gonzalez Laya confirmed yesterday that the three journalists, whom she referred to by their initials (D.B.A. from Pamplona and R.F.F. from Barakaldo, Biscay) – their names have been confirmed by Reporters Without Borders – had been killed and expressed her condolences to their families. The minister said her department is in constant contact with the Burkina Faso authorities to determine the scope and consequences of the attack and said the incident took place in a dangerous area where terrorist groups, poachers, bandits and jihadist networks operate.
“Sad day, reporters David Beriain and Roberto Fraile have been killed while practicing journalism in a conflict zone in the Sahel”, Gonzalez Laya wrote on her Twitter account. “Strong embrace to their families and much encouragement to all journalists, who with your work contribute to our democracy”, she added.
“The worst of the news is confirmed”, said President of Government Pedro Sánchez, via his Twitter account. “All our affection for the families and relatives of David Beriain and Roberto Fraile, murdered in Burkina Faso, and our recognition to those who, like them, carry out daily courageous and essential journalism from conflict zones”, he added.
“We are deeply heartbroken, our hearts go out to their families”, said Alfonso Armada, president of Reporters Without Borders-Spain. “The death of David and Roberto is an irreparable loss for the most restless and dynamic journalism, the one that goes to the scene, gets mud on its shoes, tells the reality from up close and in all its complexity”, he continued.
“These murders add to the disappearance of a brilliant generation of Spanish reporters who have shown professional integrity and dedication and who have lost their lives in the field, such as Ricardo Ortega, José Couso, Julio Fuentes, Miguel Gil and Julio Anguita Parrado“, he added. “RSF will not rest until their killers are brought to justice. We demand an independent and exhaustive investigation, so that these crimes do not end in impunity, as happens in 90% of the cases”, concluded Armada.
