A Dutch journalist, Judith Spiegel, was abducted in Yemen with her husband, Boudewijn Berendsen, more than three weeks ago.
The couple were seized by gunmen from their house in early June in the Haddah area of the capital, Sana'a, which is home to many diplomats and expatriates.
Spiegel works for international Dutch Radio and is also a professor at the Lebanese university in Sana'a. It is thought the kidnappers may be seeking to extract a ransom.
The Yemeni Journalist Syndicate (YJS) has condemned the kidnapping, saying that local groups are using the practice as a "bargaining chip with the state." It has called on Yemeni security forces to ensure the couple are released.
And the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has also called for their immediate release. Its general secretary, Beth Costa, said:
"The terrifying kidnapping of Judith Spiegel and other journalists in Yemen are direct violations of human rights and media freedom. Local authorities and security agencies in the area must protect foreign journalists."
The last kidnapping incident took place on 15 May when gunmen kidnapped five Yemeni journalists and asked the government for a ransom to release them. The journalists were released after 10 drays following negotiations.
Sources: IFJ/Yemen Post
