Germany's international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle (DW), denounced Sunday what it said was a "disgusting act of violence," after one of its reporters was attacked on the sidelines of a concert in the western German city of Dusseldorf this weekend.

DW Arabic reporter Adonis Alkhaled said he was assaulted and beaten by security staff after conducting an interview with the Syrian musician Al Shami.

A spokesperson for Al Shami insisted the "interview proceeded smoothly without any issues," and claimed that the violent incident took place after the musician and his crew had left.

What happened to Adonis Alkhaled?

In a press statement issued Sunday, DW gave Alkhaled's account of the events which took place at the Mitsubishi Electric Hall in Dusseldorf late Friday and early Saturday.

During the video interview with the Syrian artist, the DW journalist said he and a colleague were threatened and insulted by security personnel.

Alkhaled also said he was called a "faggot," and that derogatory remarks were repeatedly made about Deutsche Welle.

After the two DW journalists terminated the interview due to security concerns, reporter Adonis Alkhaled was pushed out of the interview area into a backyard by several members of the security team.

Alkhaled was hit by a lone attacker several times, according to the DW press release. The reporter was taken to the emergency room immediately afterward.

He was able to leave the hospital on Saturday morning and has filed a criminal complaint.

A police investigation into the attack is underway.

DW said video footage of the incident "is to be secured and evaluated."

Al Shami 'condemns' violence against journalists

When contacted by DW, the artist's press spokesperson said: "Al Shami and his management unequivocally condemn any form of violence or threats, especially against journalists."

"The events you’ve described are reported to have taken place after the interview had ended and after our team had parted ways with your crew," they said.

"We sincerely apologize for any unfortunate incident that occurred and are fully committed to helping you investigate this matter further."

On Tuesday, organizers Luxus Event also condemned the attack on Alkhaled in a statement.

"Luxus Event ... confirms its clear rejection of all forms of verbal and physical violence," it said. "We also affirm our deep respect for all media."

The organization said it was "fully prepared to cooperate in solving this crime."

DW condemns 'attack on freedom of the press'

In the statement issued Sunday, DW Director General Peter Limbourg said he strongly condemned the attack.

"This crime is not only a disgusting act of violence, but also an attack on freedom of the press. The perpetrators and instigators must feel the full force of the rule of law."

"The solidarity of all DW employees goes out to our injured colleague," he added.

Alkhaled says organizer and artist should ensure safety

Reacting to his ordeal, Alkhaled said: "Journalists must be able to do their work without threats or violence in order to inform the public objectively and independently. Such attacks endanger this fundamental right and hinder the work of the press."

Alkhaled added that both the organizer and the artist are responsible for the actions of their staff and security forces.

"They have a duty of care to ensure that everyone involved, including the press, is treated safely and respectfully. The incident indicates a management failure, as the security team repeatedly acted aggressively without taking adequate measures to de-escalate."

The reporter said it was important that attacks like the one he experienced don't go unpunished.

"Otherwise, this could set a dangerous precedent where other organizers or artists believe they can act similarly aggressively against journalists," Alkhaled said. "Legal action and public criticism can make it clear that this behavior will not be tolerated and that it has clear consequences."

State minister, others condemn 'brutal attack'

Nathanael Liminski, media minister for the state of North-Rhein Westphalia, of which Dusseldorf is the capital, condemned the incident as a "brutal attack."

"The brutal attack on [DW] journalist Adonis Alkhaled is not just a local incident, but an attack on press freedom and our democracy," Liminski said.

"Media representatives must be able to carry out their activities without restriction everywhere, without being subjected to verbal attacks or even physical violence," he said.

The minister said that Al Shami and his management should have worked to prevent the attack before it happened, adding that he was expecting a "swift and comprehensive clarification of the events."

Helge Lindh, who is the culture and media spokesperson for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats in Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, also condemned the attack in a statement.

"The brutal assault on Adonis Alkhaled ... is an unacceptable attack on press freedom. Journalists must be able to do their job without fear of repression or violence," he said, while expressing "full solidarity ... to the affected journalists."

In response to the attack on Alkhaled, the German Journalists' Association (DJV) urged security personnel and event organizers to ensure the safety of journalists.

DJV deputy chair Mariana Friedrich called the incident a "new level of violence" and called for the perpetrators to be prosecuted.

Alkhaled says attacker 'triggered' by word 'DW'

Alkhaled provided additional details on the assault in a video interview for DW.

"My impression was that the word 'DW' really triggered him and he said derogatory and aggressive remarks against Deutsche Welle," he said, adding that the attacker later made "homophobic comments."

He said that Al Shami intervened after the first derogatory comments which was followed by the physical assault.

"Al Shami ... came and put him away and treated him like a kid, and then the verbal aggression wasn’t dealt with correctly, which then led to the physical attack."

Attacks on journalists 'not taken seriously enough' — RSF

In comments made in an interview to DW following the attack on Alkhaled, Anja Osterhaus, the politics and strategy director for the German branch of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), said that dozens of attacks on journalists were recorded in Germany in 2023.

She added that many other assaults do not end up being reported.

"This is the real problem. Many of the aggressors are never ... prosecuted. Partly because it's very hard to prove; they disappear, often we don't know who it was. We often lack testimony," she said.

"Overall, I believe, we underestimate the relevance and the importance of attacks on journalists. It's not taken seriously enough. And often people don't take responsibility as they should."

This article was originally published on October 13, 2024. It was updated on October 15 to include new statements regarding the assault. 

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