Attack on German journalists in Rohingya camp

Three German journalists covering the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh were attacked by a mob of Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday afternoon.

According to Additional Superintendent of Police Iqbal Hossain, the three German journalists visited the Kutupalong refugee camp earlier in the day work. 

On the way back, they bought clothes for a Rohingya family from Lombasia Bazar, where a group of Rohingyas thought they were attempting to smuggle the children abroad.

The Rohingyas attacked the journalists, their interpreter Md Shihabuddin and driver Nabiul Alam, and vandalized their car. A police constable who tried to intervene was also beaten up by the mob. The attackers also grabbed the passports and other belongings of the journalists before leaving.

Five of the injured are – journalists Gunter Stener, Stefanie Apel and Ernico Neleude, their interpreter Shihab Uddin and driver Nabiul Alam, according to a police document.

The injured policeman could not be identified yet, Iqbal said.

Ukhiya police station Officer-in-Charge Abul Khayer said the police is looking into the matter and trying to recover the missing personal effects.

Meanwhile, German Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Fahrenhollz has said that journalists are now safe, reports Deutsche Welle.