Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THESSALONIKI13
2009-03-23 14:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Thessaloniki
Cable title:  

THESSALONIKI: AMCIT JOURNALIST LIGHTLY INJURED IN

Tags:  CASC GR CY 
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VZCZCXRO7266
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHIK #0013 0821456
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 231456Z MAR 09
FM AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0429
INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 0318
RUEHIK/AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI 0472
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