« The Press: Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, special envoys RFI in northern Mali kidnapped and murdered near Kidal November 2, 2013 November 2, 2013, RFI special envoys in northern Mali, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon were abducted and murdered near Kidal. Two years later, the investigation has not advanced as we celebrate the International Day of the end of impunity for crimes against journalists. There are two years Saturday, November 2, 2013, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon were murdered at the exit of Kidal in northern Mali, while they were preparing a series of reports in anticipation of Malian law, a double murder will be a few days later claimed by AQIM, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. This November 2 oozes sadness to all who knew them and that date also marks henceforth the International Day of the end of impunity for crimes against journalists »

"According to RFI, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon were abducted by armed men in 13 hours (14 hours in Paris) outside the home of Ambery Rhissa Ag, a representative of the National Liberation Movement of Azawad (MNLA) that they came to interview. According to his testimony, quoted by RFI, Mr. Ag Rhissa saw the kidnappers, who were "turbaned and spoke Tamashek" the Tuareg language. RFI said the circumstances of the abduction on its website. Our two colleagues of Radio France International were kidnapped Saturday afternoon in Kidal in the north. Then their bodies were found outside the city. The announcement of their deaths plunged writing in sadness and RFI sparked a wave of emotion in France. French President François Hollandea expressed his "indignation with regard to this heinous act." He announced that he will gather Sunday morning the ministers concerned "to establish the precise circumstances of these murders" . Mr Hollande and his Malian counterpart Ibrahim Boubacar Keita affirmed their determination "to pursue and win" the "common struggle against terrorism," said a statement from the French Presidency.The two journalists were on assignment in Kidal for a special issue of RFI in Mali scheduled next Thursday.It was their second visit to this city, Tuareg stronghold partly controlled by the rebels.They had already traveled to Kidal in July to cover the first round of the presidential election.Both had left Bamako to Kidal Tuesday.This story took place in the framework of a special operation of relocation of RFI programs planned Nov. 7 in Bamako "and why all the security precautions had been taken," said RFI.REMOVED AFTER INTERVIEW: In a statement, the management of RFI indicates that all seséquipes "are in shock, deeply sad, indignant and angry" and address his thoughts "to the families and loved ones of their colleagues and friends."Ghislaine Dupont, 51, was a journalist "passionate about his job and the African continent, it covered since joining EMC in 1986".Verlon Claude, 58, reporting RFI technician since 1982, "was a practical man experienced, accustomed difficult terrain in the world," the statement concluded.Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, special correspondents of Radio France Internationale (RFI), were at Kidal Tuareg capital, when they were captured.According to a source, reporters came shortly after 13 hours of home Emberry Rissa ag, a notable of the city and went to another appointment by the local branch of the Malian Solidarity Bank (BMS).At least one all-terrain with armed men would have arisen and forced journalists to board.The commando follows fled northward.These deaths occur shortly after the release, after three years of captivity in the Sahel, the four French hostages in Niger former earlier in the week.French hostage is still being held in Mali.The Paris prosecutor announced the opening of a preliminary investigation for kidnapping and sequestration followed facts of murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise.According to information of the "Nouvel Observateur", a helicopter of the French army was patrolling over Kidal in that time and chased the abductors.He could not take place before the killing of the two journalists.According to the same source, the two journalists had met with representatives of the Serval operation before going in Kidal to receive a military escort.They refused, as for any request from the media, the area is considered dangerous.Claude Verlonet Ghislaine Dupontont decided to visit the site on their own.How Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon did they die?The precise circumstances remained unknown Saturday night.RFI says, in an article titled "RFI shocked" that "our reporter Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon were killed at about fifteen kilometers east of Kidal, on the road to Tinessako".What was the reaction of the French army?This is the French army who discovered the bodies of two journalists.They "were found by the patrol at 2:55 p.m. local ground to a dozen kms east of Kidal near a stationary vehicle," déclarele spokesman for the General Staff, Colonel Gilles Jaron .A monitoring system has been set up to try to locate the vehicle in which could be our nationals. "" This device was in the establishment of two monitoring points north and northeast of Kidal, and sending a patrol of about thirty men coming out on the track east of Kidal.At the same time, two helicopters took off from Tessalit to try to locate the vehicle, "he said."