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| Europe |
| Mexican journalists roughed up by Greek "coast guard" |
| 2004-08-05 |
| Alberto Lati, Athens correspondent for the Televisa channel, said reporter Eduardo Salazar and cameraman Russel Baquiero, accompanied by an interpreter, were wrapping up a report on the port when three soldiers arrived in a van. The soldiers "got out of their car and put handcuffs on them without allowing the interpreter to talk," Lati said "They said, 'We don't care if you're journalists and have accreditation'." The three coastguards then led the journalists to a nearby public building and, according to Lati, started beating them and explicitly threatening their lives, laughing throughout the ordeal. One took Vaqueiro by his hair and hit his head against a desk, Lati said. "If you don't sit properly, I'll throw you out of the window," one of the coastguards allegedly told the men, according to the interpreter. A high-ranking coastguard officer later apologised on camera for the incident and said the three soldiers involved would be detained. "We strongly regret the incident," said Michail Zaharatos, a spokesman for the Olympic Games organising committee ATHOC. "We have issued strict instructions that this incident is not repeated." Mr Zaharatos also confirmed that an investigation had been launched. "Should it recommend disciplinary action against the two members of the Hellenic Coastguard, it will be taken immediately." |
| Posted by:Super Hose |
| #13 ? ....yeah...........ok (calling for IP Psych police) |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-08-14 10:13:51 PM |
| #12 you go! They deserved it for not following the rules. they aren't special. Even if its a american, Mexican, or greek journalist. They get beat up!@ |
| Posted by: Anonymous6077 2004-08-14 9:56:17 PM |
| #11 I've been treated worse by Federales in San Felipe in the early 80's (SAE Fraternity spring break trip) |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-08-06 12:29:48 AM |
| #10 "American CONSERVATIVE reporters" I'm glad you included that qualification, Aris, since we might well cheer if certain lefty talking heads go the shit kicked out of them, in Greece or anywhere else. Unfortunately, this is meaningless since you can arbitrarily qualify a hypothetical case to support practically any suggestion, in this case the suggestion of prejudice and a double-standard: "You wouldn't be so generous if they beat up your mother and stomped some fluffy bunnies instead of some scumbag reporters!" |
| Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2004-08-06 12:27:46 AM |
| #9 Mebbe they didn't have ANY STINKIN' BADGES!? |
| Posted by: borgboy 2004-08-05 7:25:57 PM |
| #8 Jarhead, I have to disagree. I've had good Gryos before but nothing, I repeat nothing, competes with the Carne Asada Burritos at Case De Bandini's in Old Towne San Diego. Food of the gods man, food of the gods. |
| Posted by: yank 2004-08-05 4:02:37 PM |
| #7 Burritos have nothing on the Gyro!! Take that you Mexican scum!! OH-PAH!! Bwhahahaha........... |
| Posted by: Jarhead 2004-08-05 3:42:49 PM |
| #6 Raj, I had asked you an explanation about an obscure comment you made about Cyprus on http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.asp?HC=Main&D=2004-08-03&ID=39587 I'd like a clarification (mainly so as to know whether to laugh at you, ofcourse). As for the rest of you, I'm not sure you would have felt as charitable if it had been American conservative reporters of your choice that'd been beaten up rather than Mexicans. |
| Posted by: Aris Katsaris 2004-08-05 1:52:58 PM |
| #5 Don't be too hard on the Coastguard, Mr. Zaharatos, We wouldn't want to upset the Mexicans into pulling they're grand forces (of one) out of Iraq, in protest!! |
| Posted by: smn 2004-08-05 1:36:34 PM |
| #4 Wonder how their asses felt afterwards? Any lube, guys? |
| Posted by: Raj 2004-08-05 1:09:30 PM |
| #3 Yeah these guys went overboard but a message was sent out before the olympics that the Greeks won't be taking any crap. Its a good message to send out to the journalists, soccer hoolagans, and terrorists that will be swarming the place. |
| Posted by: yank 2004-08-05 10:38:34 AM |
| #2 Maybe the Border Patrol should be recruiting in Greece. Aris, the pay is great. |
| Posted by: Mr. Davis 2004-08-05 8:56:38 AM |
| #1 good to see journalists are not getting a freebie for once |
| Posted by: Dcreeper 2004-08-05 8:36:56 AM |