Journalists Attacked in Georgia

It was reported by CNN that several Turkish reporters were attacked in Georgia on August 10, 2008. One of the reporters suffered a nonfatal gunshot wound to the head. All of the reporters involved in the incident returned home to Turkey alive on August 14, 2008.¹

Fast Facts

1. The reporters' vehicle came under attack in Georgia on August 10, 2008¹
2. A video depicting the incident aired on Turkish television on August 13, 2008¹
3. The video showed the reporters ducking for cover and reciting Muslim prayers¹
4. This is one of many attacks that have taken place between Turkish reporters and Russian forces¹
5. The journalists were en route from Gori, Georgia, to Tshinvali when the attack took place
6. Reporter Levent Ozturk was shot in his left eye¹
7. Cameraman Guray Ervin was shot in the shoulder²
8. The injured reporters were taken to a hospital in Tshinvali¹

Quotes

"Some 10-15 soldiers sprayed our car with weapons for at least 4 or 5 minutes. I could not move the vehicle since the engine broke down. We shouted at the soldiers that we were journalists. We also took our t-shirts off and waved them out of windows. Some 4 or 5 minutes later, soldiers approached us."—Guray Ervin, Cameraman²

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