The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, leading journalists and media executives in over 112 countries, strongly condemns the killing of two German journalists by unidentified gunmen in Afghanistan.

Karen Fischer and Christian Struwe, worked for Deutsche Welle, Germany’s national broadcaster. They were in Afghanistan to conduct research for a documentary and were travelling to the province of Bamiyan, to the site of two large Buddha statues that were destroyed by the Taliban in early 2001.

On 7 October, the two journalists were travelling in a Toyota four-wheel drive through the northern province of Baghlan en route to Bamiyan, and had stopped outside a small village to set up tent for the night.

Fischer and Struwe were found in their tent by unknown attackers and killed by AK-47 gunfire around 1:30 a.m. They were discovered by villagers shortly after. None of the journalists’ personal possessions had been stolen by the assailants and their vehicle remained parked close to the tent.

Both Fischer and Struwe had travelled to Afghanistan several times for their work. Struwe had been working to support media development in the country and had helped to set up a state-run radio and television newsroom there.

Commenting on the incident, IPI Director Johann P. Fritz said “The tragic death of these two journalists, occurring on the fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, is a chilling reminder of the risks faced by journalists reporting in conflict areas.”

“We support the calls of the German Foreign Ministry that a thorough and public investigation be carried out into this crime. It is imperative that such an investigation begins immediately so that those responsible for the death of Karen Fischer and Christian Struwe can be identified and brought to justice.”