Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ today announced that it is protesting the deliberate assault by Cairo police on one of its journalists during today's disturbances in Egypt.

Assad Sawey, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's correspondent in Cairo, was deliberately assaulted by police while reporting today's protests.

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 journalist for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, 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 Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Global News Director Peter Horrocks said: "The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ 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 Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ or elsewhere, are allowed to do their job of bringing accurate, impartial eye witness reports to audiences around the world without fear."

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Press Office