Guinean journalist assaulted while covering attack

A group of persons with disabilities attacked Alhasane Bah, a journalist with the media group L’independent-Le Democrate, on July 4, 2013, as he attempted to photograph the group attacking another person with disabilities, according to news reports. The attack occurred near the Faycal Mosque in Donka district.

Bah told CPJ that more than 10 assailants attacked him and repeatedly beat him on his face, mouth, back, and neck with crutches. He said his camera was broken and his equipment, including an Internet modem, USB stick, and memory card, was seized as well.

Bah told CPJ that he identified himself as a journalist but his assailants refused to return his equipment. He said he spent two weeks recovering from the attack.

Bah said he did not file an official complaint, citing “lack of confidence” in the police and the judiciary to prosecute the case.