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A freedom of the press group has denounced the « unacceptable » violation of an award-winning Syrian photojournalist during a Paris protest against police brutality.
Ameer Alhalbi, a freelance photographer who worked for Polka Magazine and AFP, covered the demonstrations against police violence and the government’s new law restricting the sharing of pictures by officers the weekend he was injured.
Christophe Deloire, General Secretary of Reporters Without Borders, tweeted that the 24-year-old was wounded by a « police baton » on Place de la Bastille and condemned the violence.
“Ameer, like several other Syrian journalists, came to France from Syria to seek refuge. The land of human rights should not threaten them, but protect them, ”he said in a second tweet.
Dimitri Beck, Polka cameraman, said Alhalbi had a broken nose and an injured forehead and was hospitalized.
Alhalbi has won several international awards, including second prize in the spot news category for the World Press Photo in 2017, mainly for his coverage of the Syrian conflict in his hometown of Aleppo for AFP.
Thousands of people across France have rallied in support of freedom of the press after a police film against a black music producer fueled anger over a bill restricting journalists’ right to report on police brutality.
In Paris, protesters set street furniture on fire and clashed with police when they tried to block access to some streets. Thousands more protested the bill in Lille, Rennes, Strasbourg and other cities.
Jean Castex, the Prime Minister, has announced that an independent commission will review and rewrite the controversial article in the bill.
Photojournalist, protest, Paris
World news – CA – Syria war photographer « wounded by police » during the Paris protest
Ref: https://www.theguardian.com
