Assad Sawey Attacked in Cairo

The BBC today condemned the deliberate assault on its correspondent, Assad Sawey.

Sawey was in the Capital of Egypt, Cairo, reporting on the on-going violence between protesters and the police.

He was reporting on a police baton charge when he was surrounded by men who appeared to be plain clothes security men. Despite clearly identifying himself as a correspondent for the BBC, he was repeatedly hit, including blows to the head. He also had his camera confiscated.

He was arrested before being released with no charge. Assad subsequently received medical attention for a wound he sustained to his head. He is continuing to report on the current situation in Cairo on behalf of the BBC.

BBC Global News Director Peter Horrocks said: “The BBC condemns this assault on one of our correspondents by the authorities. We shall be forcefully protesting this brutal action directly to the Egyptian authorities. It is vital that all journalists, whether from the BBC or elsewhere, are allowed to do their job of bringing accurate, impartial eye witness reports to audiences around the world without fear.”