The international Committee to Protect Journalists has demanded South Sudanese authorities investigate the abduction and torture of El Tabeer editor Joseph Afendi, who was found dumped in a graveyard yesterday after being beaten.

Afendi went missing on 4 March after being abducted by men driving a white SUV with no number plates, according to Eye Radio. Afendi was beaten and his legs were marked with what appeared to be deliberate burns.

“He was burned with fire on the thighs, he was burned with fire and his arm is broken, so he was badly beaten, but the doctor had admitted him to the hospital since yesterday up to today he is with the doctor," said Afendi's father, Joseph Deng, a former MP from Upper Nile state, in an interview with Radio Tamazuj.

In December, National Security arrested Afendi and held him without charge for nearly two months. El Tabeer has shut down amid harrassment by authorities. Afendi had written an article critical of the ruling party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

Al Maugif newspaper journalist Chan Joseph was also recently found dumped in a graveyard beaten and burned after going missing. Radio Tamazuj earlier reported that Chan was abducted near the SPLM Secretariat on February 26 and held for four days.

CPJ linked the violence against Afendi to a statement made by President Salva Kiir last August threatening to kill reporters working "against the country."

"The violence done to Joseph Afandi is what happens when national leaders threaten to kill critical journalists," said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney. "President Salva Kiir needs to take back his reckless remarks and issue a clear and unequivocal statement condemning attacks on journalists and vowing to credibly investigate this savage assault and bring those responsible to justice."

Journalist Peter Moi Julius was killed days after Kiir made his threat. Authorities have announced no arrests or prosecutions in connection with that case.

Photos: Journalist Joseph Afendi beaten with burn marks on his legs (Eye Radio)

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Writer allegedly kidnapped and later released at Juba cemetery (2 Mar.)