2 Mar 2012 | Azerbaijan News, Europe and Central Asia, Index Index, minipost
At least two journalists have been injured whilst covering violent clashes between police and residents in Azerbaijan. During protests calling for the resignation of a local government, Index awards nominee Idrak Abbasov, from the Institute for War & Peace suffered an arm injury as stones were thrown at him, whilst Rashid Aliyev, a reporter for the Internet-based Objektiv-TV was hit in the back of the head. During the protests, demonstrators set fire to government buildings and the governor’s house. Five other journalists reportedly suffered the effects of tear gas, after authorities sent riot police to quell the protesters.
Abbasov said: “Me and my colleague Rashad Aliyev were at the center of the developments. I was taking photographs and Rashad was filming. I couldn’t see who threw stones at me, as I was holding the camera in front of my eyes to photograph the developments. A stone hit my left arm and smashed it. But Rashad was more unlucky. A stone hit his head and he received a serious injury to his ear.”
2 Mar 2012 | Africa, Index Index, minipost
A number of attacks and threats have been made against journalists covering the Sengalese presidential elections. At least 12 incidents of threats and physical harm have been recorded against journalists in the lead up to and aftermath of the vote. Senegal’s incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade stood against thirteen other candidates in elections for a third term in power on Sunday. No official results have been released.
23 Feb 2012 | Index Index, minipost
A young Jordanian blogger is recovering in hospital after being stabbed on Sunday evening. Enas Musallam, 21, was stabbed in the stomach by a hooded man at around 7pm in Darat Al Funun. The man then held the knife to the blogger’s throat and said “next time it will be your neck if you do not stop.” Her colleague told local media he believed the attack related to a recently written blog post criticising Jordanian Prince Hassan. Musallam underwent surgery on Monday, but is said to be in a stable condition.
15 Feb 2012 | Asia and Pacific, Index Index, minipost
Parviz Safi, a cameramen for state-owned English-language TV station Press TV, was attacked with acid by three unidentified men on 6 February in the Afghan capital, Kabul. The journalist suffered second-degree burns to his face, but the substance missed his eyes and his life is not in danger. On 18 January last year, Razaq Mamoon, who worked for several media organisations and presented a programme on independent TV station Tolo TV, was also sprayed with acid. He was seriously injured and is still receiving medical treatment abroad.
