The United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom Thursday condemned the murder of an Iraqi journalist who was well known for articles exposing corruption in his country.

Hilal al-Ahmadi died on 17 February after being shot as he headed to work in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Mr. al-Ahmadi was a freelance reporter who contributed to several publications.

Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), issued a statement from the agency's Paris headquarters Thursday in which she stressed that "attacking journalists cannot be tolerated.

"By denying citizens access to information, these crimes tear at the very fabric of emerging democracies," Bokova said. "They must be investigated and punished."

Many journalists have lost their lives in Iraq in recent years. The non-governmental organization (NGO) Reporters with Borders said seven journalists were killed there last year alone.