Balochistan Times editor-in-chief, missing since March 2, found dead in Sweden

Sajid Hussain, the editor-in-chief of Balochistan Times, has been found dead in Sweden. A statement released by the publication said Hussain had been missing since March 2, 2020. On Thursday, the Swedish police informed his family that they had discovered his body in a river in Uppsala, a city near Stockholm.

The statement said: “We at Balochistan Times are deeply saddened by the demise of our dear friend and the founder of this magazine. We would like to extend our most sincere condolences to his family. Also, we express gratitude to his former colleagues, friends, journalists and rights organisations for speaking up for him after his disappearance. Sajid will forever remain in our thoughts.”

According to Reporters Without Borders, “the editor went missing after boarding a train in Stockholm at around 11.30 am on March 2 to go Uppsala, 70 km to the north, with the aim of collecting the keys to his new apartment and leaving some personal effects there.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists had released a statement on March 30 stating that the Swedish authorities should "make every effort to locate missing journalist Sajid Hussain Baloch and ensure his safety".

Hussain had fled Pakistan about eight years ago after receiving death threats. His wife Shehnaz told Dawn that Hussain's 2012 report on the issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan had exposed a top drug lord Imam Bheel, leading to "some threats". He also sensed being followed, she said.

“Then some people broke into his house in Quetta when he was out investigating a story. They took away his laptop and other papers too. After that he left Pakistan in Septem­ber 2012 and never came back,” Shehnaz told Dawn.

***

Journalists across the world are under threat and need your help. Pay to keep news free and support independent media. Subscribe to Newslaundry today.