Meet the Syrian man who was tripped by a Hungarian camerawoman
A Hungarian news website has identified the man as Osama Al-Ghabad, a former Syrian football coach
PHOTO: REUTERS
The story of a Hungarian camerawoman who kicked and tripped Syrian refugees made headlines world over; however, few knew anything about the refugee who was tripped by her while running from the police with his son.
A Hungarian news website has now identified the man as Osama Al-Ghabad, a former Syrian football coach. Al-Ghabad coached Syrian football club Al-Fotuwa SC and was a board member of the Syrian Football Association, according to index.hu.
Read: TV station of camerawoman who kicked migrants goes offline
Al-Ghabad and his family had to flee the country when their city, Deir Al-zoor was captured by the Islamic state. He was allegedly arrested and tortured for rioting against the Syrian government.
Meanwhile, Hungarian camerawoman Petra Laszlo, who caused global outrage after being caught on film tripping refugees, broke her silence on Friday, saying she had “panicked”.
“As I watch the footage now, it’s like I’m not watching myself. I honestly regret what I have done and take responsibility for it,” wrote Laszlo in a letter to Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet published on its website.
Read: Hungarian photojournalist faces criminal charges for kicking refugees
“I panicked. I’m not a heartless, child-kicking racist camera-person,” she added.
Further, a “Wall of Shame” page on Facebook featuring pictures, videos and commentaries linked to the episode had collected more than 35,000 likes by Friday with user comments that expressed disappointment at Lazlo’s behavior.
A Hungarian news website has now identified the man as Osama Al-Ghabad, a former Syrian football coach. Al-Ghabad coached Syrian football club Al-Fotuwa SC and was a board member of the Syrian Football Association, according to index.hu.
Read: TV station of camerawoman who kicked migrants goes offline
Al-Ghabad and his family had to flee the country when their city, Deir Al-zoor was captured by the Islamic state. He was allegedly arrested and tortured for rioting against the Syrian government.
Meanwhile, Hungarian camerawoman Petra Laszlo, who caused global outrage after being caught on film tripping refugees, broke her silence on Friday, saying she had “panicked”.
“As I watch the footage now, it’s like I’m not watching myself. I honestly regret what I have done and take responsibility for it,” wrote Laszlo in a letter to Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet published on its website.
Read: Hungarian photojournalist faces criminal charges for kicking refugees
“I panicked. I’m not a heartless, child-kicking racist camera-person,” she added.
Further, a “Wall of Shame” page on Facebook featuring pictures, videos and commentaries linked to the episode had collected more than 35,000 likes by Friday with user comments that expressed disappointment at Lazlo’s behavior.