Shamil Gigayev

Nokh Cho TV

October 29, 1999, in Shaami Yurt, Russia

Gigayev, a cameraman for independent Nokh Cho Television in Grozny, and Ramzan Mezhidov, a freelance cameraman working for the Moscow-based TV Tsentr, were killed during a Russian air attack on refugees fleeing Chechnya.

The journalists were covering a refugee convoy en route from Grozny to Nazran, in neighboring Ingushetia. As the convoy approached the Chechen town of Shaami Yurt, a Russian bomber fired several rockets from the air, hitting a busload of refugees. Despite warnings from colleagues traveling with them, Mezhidov and Gigayev left their vehicle to film the carnage. As they approached the bus, another Russian rocket hit a nearby truck, fatally wounding both journalists.

Medium: Television

Job: Camera Operator

Beats Covered: War

Gender: Male

Local or Foreign: Local

Freelance: No

Type of Death: Crossfire/Combat-Related

Suspected Source of Fire: Military Officials

Related Articles:

• Attacks on the Press 1999: 1999 Death Toll: Listed by Country, March 22, 2000
• Russia/Chechnya: Two journalists killed, two others missing, December 2, 1999