NAIROBI: Kenyan authorities say the probe into the killing of Pakistani journalist Ashraf Sharif is still ongoing, and that those handling the probe are not aware of claims that the slain journalist was brutally tortured for hours before being shot dead.
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It may be recalled that Arshad Sharif, 49, a reporter and TV anchor with Ary TV, had fled to Kenya after he was booked on charges of sedition and peddling an “anti-state” narrative earlier this year. He was shot and killed on October 23, 2022, at a police roadblock in an incident that was initially reported as case of ‘mistaken identity’, however, sparked speculations and a blame game.
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Just two days back, media reports in Pakistan cited a post-mortem report of Sharif, saying the journalist was brutally tortured for hours before being shot dead. Another media report claimed that around ’10 American instructors and trainers’ were present at the shooting range where he was on the day of Sharif’s death.
However, Kenya insists the shooting was a case of mistaken identity.
Also read: Arshad Sharif’s killing a case of ‘mistaken identity’: Kenyan media
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which is leading the probe said their findings show so far police were involved in the shooting.
Chairperson Anne Makori said their findings have shown the General Service Unit were involved in the shooting, adding that they were yet to be informed of the claims of the torture of the deceased man.
“As far as we are concerned, the GSU personnel were involved in the shooting. We have so far found out the journalist died out of a gunshot wound in the head,” she said.
She further said the authority was conducting investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s shooting, and they would then make recommendations when the probe was s complete.
