THESSALONIKI: AMCIT JOURNALIST LIGHTLY INJURED IN

UNCLAS THESSALONIKI 000013 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC GR CY SUBJECT: THESSALONIKI: AMCIT JOURNALIST LIGHTLY INJURED IN RIGHT-WING DEMONSTRATION An American citizen journalist, Mr. Ray Carol Pride, was beaten and lightly injured while photographing a demonstration in downtown Thessaloniki at about 9pm on March 22. Pride told Conoff the following morning that about 6-12 participants in a right-wing demonstration confronted him and asked him who he was. When he told them he was an American journalist they started beating him. Police monitoring the otherwise peaceful demonstration stopped the attackers and took Pride to a nearby hospital, where he received three stitches on his head and was released. Pride said he wounds are not serious and that he is in good condition. He is a film critic and journalist covering the International Documentary Festival of Thessaloniki, which ended March 22. He plans to return to the United States in the next few days. He said he does not require assistance from the Consulate. Pride did not get a good look at his attackers and has decided not to press charges. The demonstrators, reportedly supporters of far right party LAOS, were protesting on behalf of Cypriots missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus . Police told Pride it is possible the demonstrators mistook him for an "anarchist infiltrator" because of his "leftist" appearance (apparently referring to Pride's long hair and handlebar mustache). He praised police for their rapid and effective assistance, without which he believes he might have been seriously injured. Conoff recommended he keep in touch with Post and check its website for travel advisory and other Citizen Services information prior to his next visit. YEE