Blindfolded & Beaten: Fox News Crew Describes ‘Life or Death Struggle’ in Cairo
- Posted on February 6, 2011 at 5:46pm by
Meredith Jessup
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While anti-government protests continue in Egypt, many international journalists have retreated from the frontlines after being threatened and, in many cases, detained by authorities. As we reported last week, a Fox news reporter and cameraman were confronted by a large contingent of pro-government demonstrators and savagely beaten.
Fox News correspondent Greg Palkot and cameraman Olaf Wiig have since returned to London. In the first interview following their ordeal, the two recounted the frightening experience for Fox News on Sunday.
“The main street was a total war zone, it was smoke, it was rocks being thrown, it was Molotov cocktails, it was flames, it was live fire,” Polkot recalled.
“I got grabbed and I thought at that moment, I thought, ‘Ok, I’m really now in trouble,’” Wiig added.
“People are all over him,” Palkot said, referring to Wiig. “Within about 30 seconds, people are all over us — and that’s where our life or death struggle began.”
Fortunately, Palkot and Wiig were later taken to a hospital. Once treated, they were ushered to the headquarters of the secret police, photographed and questioned before finally being released.
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Comments (74)
deward
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 9:45pmYou are only getting a first hand look at the islamic garbage that will soon be running Egypt not of course without a lot of help from their new best friend Iran. Pray for Israel because between this new regime and Odumbo they will have to contend with much evil. Obama’s dreams of Israels destruction is finally becoming a reality.
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 9:53pmAand another American saying that oppressive dictatorships are a-okay as long as they’re pro-American/pro-Israel. Who cares what Egyptians want?
Report Post »idrathermisstotheright
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 12:26amNS go crawl back under your rock at huffpost. You are a troll. Don’t forget to send your contribution to the Muslim brotherhood, I am sure you have it set up as auto pay.
Report Post »millefiore
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 9:42pmThank GOD they are safe and out of there. It was Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig who were detained in Gaza. Olaf is extremely brave. Glad Greg Palkot is okay
Report Post »orcainohio
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 9:30pmI wonder what the live footage looked like?
Report Post »Anybody see what they endured. I have seen police vidios of people hitting themselves or each other to be the news.
ChiefGeorge
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 8:56pmWhy exactly were they beat? Because they were Westerners maybe?
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 9:51pmThey were beaten because they were Reporters and the pro-Mubarak crowd don’t exactly like Reporters making them look bad when they run down protesters with their cars and shoot fleeing people?
Read the story again: They were NOT beaten by the pro-democracy protesters! They were beaten up by our supposed friends, the followers of Mubarak!
Report Post »idrathermisstotheright
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 12:23amN-S
You are a troll.
Report Post »KL
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 8:16pmGod Bless them, I’m very happy they survived. (not like the FAKE story over at CNN)
Report Post »terridear1
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 8:04pmThank God you two are safe. What a horrifying experience. Wasn’t it good to be back in a “free” society? Makes one that more appeciative of the freedom of the press we have in the US. I am so glad both of you went public. Take care of yourselves!
Report Post »ladyda
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 8:03pmHow horribly frightening. I wish all our Americans would come home; that we would secure our own borders and stop policing and sending billions of dollars all over the world. We have much to be grateful for that these two men were not killed, for it seems as if those people did not care very much if they had been or not. Mob mentality….how brutal.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 7:58pmThank God they are now safe and recovering from the brutal attack.
I couldn‘t help but be reminded of the ’peace activists’ attacking the Israeli soldiers on the Gaza flotilla. Their description of how they were attacked and bludgeoned with sticks, knives and metal bars, was just like the attacks on the boarded ship.
Report Post »Billy de Cooper
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 7:44pmMy prayers are with them. All aside though, being in a war zone is very very dangerous and I can feel the pain and suffering they encountered. Hope they heal fast and return to doing what they do so well.
Report Post »“Thanks Be To God.”
bert2020
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 7:11pmYour right we should just take the word of the Egyptian government as to what is happening. Who will tell the story of the Egyptian people. We stuck our nose in when we got in bed with Mubarik in the first place.
Freedom’s story will be told by brave individuals. God bless and keep them safe.
Report Post »Workforit
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 7:09pmI have to apologize for my flippant attitude about another news correspondent taking ten punches…
Palkot and Wiig you got more than you bargained for… And thank you. Rocks are still rocks, sticks are still sticks, and they hurt.
Report Post »hey ohms
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 7:07pmWe should send undercover UFC fighters posing as reporters. See what happens when their victim starts throwing head kicks and administers some good ol’ american ground and pound! lol. Sorry, I know its immature, but the thought of some jerk swinging his shoe at somebody like Brock Lessner or Chuck Liddel seems like a good video opportunity.
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 9:49pmI don’t quite get how a fighter, no matter how good he is, is supposed to stand up to an enraged crowd.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:38pmSometimes that happens when you stick your nose where it doesn’t belong. Hope they are alright. Never like to see people get their butts whooped.
Report Post »Larry Notes
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:32pmReporting on the ground in a riot is the dumbest thing one can do. The people are in turmoil and anything goes. In a war zone you have a battle line to stay behind. In a riot, anyone can kill you at ANYTIME. Report from a secure roof, of out a window. Don’t be out in it, or you will be news every time.
Report Post »iriewoolf
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:30pmKeepin’ it classy, a hallmark of the left..
Al Qaeda-style tactics on display
http://blog.politca.com/2011/02/06/liberal-leftist-group-posts-al-qaeda-style-beheading-video-of-ronald-mcdonald.aspx
Report Post »STQ
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:27pmI do NOT trust this administration at all,hardly,when it comes to dealing w/ this situation.Keep a sharp eye on Hillary,too!You just WATCH them try to help put in the Muslim Brotherhood!Hope I’m wrong,but doubt it!.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:42pmI fear you are exactly right.
Report Post »JustaThought
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 9:48amI, too, fear your suspicions, STQ. We are now hearing reports that someone in the White House or State Department had talks with representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood at the beginning of these riots.(Or before?). As those here and elsewhere condemn the US supporting a dictator … and we have and still do … these newest developments look as if we are willing to do it again>> dump a dictator for yet another group who want to take the Middle East back to the Middle Ages.
I must agree with those who are honest in saying that the beating of those two and other reporters “comes with the job”. Reporters who choose to go to war zones … and like it or not that is what this is now in Egypt … know that they are as much in the cross hairs of those who despise them as are our own troops. Hell, didn’t we all learned as kids that, “Sticks and stones may break (our) bones …”.
And to those bleeding hearts who say we should let things happen as they may … be sure you know that the forces of evil … namely the Muslim Brotherhood … have an agenda that goes far beyond kicking out Mubarak so that they might have a democratic society.(And, btw … ours is a Republic rather than a Democracy) The ‘Hood intends to (re)establish Shariah Law and destroy all whom they believe Allah calls enemies and those enemies’ allies. That means Israel, most of Europe and us … as in the U.S. of A.
Consider recent history in the Middle East: Once the Taliban and al Qaeda agenda and beliefs began to spread look how far they have managed to infest the Middle East. They may be (almost fully) out of Afghanistan but they are strong as hell elsewhere in Pakistan and its neighbors. Once riots broke out in Tunisia … riots that were very much backed by the ‘Hood … looked how quickly like wildfire those riots and demands spread throughout much of the Middle East.
Palkot and Wiig know their jobs are dangerous and like those here with a decent conscious I am saddened to see what happened to them. Let their images burn in your minds and remind you of the hate that festers in the Middle East for anyone with Western values. And let their injuries remind and alert you that what happened to them is barely 1/1000th of the iceberg of what happens when we allow Liberal political correctness and bleeding hearts’ “can’t-we-all-just-get-along?” agendas to blind our realities.
It is and always will be us versus them. Good versus Evil. Defeat all of them or they will gladly shout, “Allahu akbar!” as they surge towards defeating us. Political correctness has never won a war but it most certainly has lost them. Google “shariah law in america” and you will quickly see and read a vast difference in what the Liberal Mass Media wants you to believe versus what Conservative news and think tanks report. At the time of this posting CBS is the top-ranked “hit” and they want you to believe that there really isn’t any real evidence here in the states that should worry you and me.
For those who think the USA is just a big bully and that Conservative Common Sense has no place in Middle Eastern struggles … I ask you this:
What had you rather we do … whip our enemies asses … or kiss them? Wanna guess how organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood would reply?
Report Post »takemout
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:26pmHey guys, is the adrenalin rush is worth it?
Report Post »Red Meat
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:17pmwgas?
Report Post »martinrnelson
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:14pmNo sympathy from me…when you go into a riot well, IT’S A FREAKING RIOT!! I respect them immensely, but it’s a risk of the job.
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:27pmThese guys didn’t get into the middle of the crowd by choice like Anderson did. They were holed up in a building trying to keep a low profile, but watching what was going on down below, but when a gas fire bomb was thrown into their room from below they had to flee or be burned alive, so they did, and ended up in the middle of a hostile crowd. You should read the whole story for yourself.
Report Post »martinrnelson
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:43pmRegardless the details, when you’re going to cover a riot situation you know the dangers going in. I’m not discrediting them as I respect their courage, but there is no surprise
Report Post »to their outcome.
Sinista Mace
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:06pmThat‘s what happens to thrill seekers who’s feet run to mischief.
Report Post »HippoNips
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:00pmBoth sides dislike the West’s media, especially America’s
Report Post »Egytians all know to well how people like Greg Palkot distort facts.
what4
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:09pmObama has his peeps everywhere! Thank GOD their safe!
Report Post »stealthyk9
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:47pmBoth sides dislike the West’s media for one reason, and one reason only: Islam is completely incompatible with freedom of speech.
Report Post »Note to the Fox journalists: Welcome to the Religion of Pieces!
Non-sequitur
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 9:43pmAl Jazeera is a better and more balanced news network than any network in the USA to be quite honest.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 5:56pmI’m happy to learn they are OUT of that place and are okay!
Thank You, Lord!
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 5:56pmI am glad they survived. If you go into the wilds to film the animals, you are taking chances.
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 9:42pmThe wild animals being the Mubarak-backing authorities, not the pro-democratic protesters.
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 5:55pmGlad they made it out. Interesting story, consequences of being where the action is.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 5:53pmThank goodness both men were able to survive that ordeal and get back to London with their lives. Pray for the people of Egypt that they will be able to be governed with freedom and dignity.
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 5:59pmThese guys are very brave and they are very good at what they do. Best wishes to them and to the People of Egypt, because they are going to need all the help and prayers that they can get.
Report Post »cnsrvtvj
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:02pmI agree grandmaof5, it could have been much worse. That has to be a frightening experience for sure. I’m glad Anderson Cooper and his crew survived as well. It looks like things have somewhat cooled down in the streets of Cairo over the past few days. I hope this all turns out for the best for all concerned.
http://www.donsmithshow.com – see the Reagan 100 year tribute video
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:08pmYou both have said it so very well. God bless these wonderful reporters and cameramen giving us the ability to see and hear what is really going on in this mixed up world.
Report Post »geminisailor
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:10pmThanks Palkot and Wiig for the bravery that you show in bringing the world the TRUTH from the only network that will bring the world the TRUTH!!!!
Report Post »bruins
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 6:36pmI say we stop sending them the 1.5 billion dollars a year to act this way. If they want to act like goons and morons then let them do it on their own dime. I am tired of seeing our money spent on people who could give a rats butt about us as a nation. If this administration would start drilling for our own oil then we wouldn’t have to put up with this nonsense. Political correctness will destroy this nation if we don’t wake up. This current president seems to have a special relationship with the muslim brotherhood. I wonder why????
Report Post »BMartin1776
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 7:11pmOf course they got beaten look at who they were attacked by.. not gonna say it you all know who Im talking about. These ppl cannot be trusted, they embrace violence and death.
Thankful these two made it out but all journalists need to forewarned covering situations like this in that part of the world. You are fair game to these monsters (was a time I would have called them animals but there is no comparison btwn the two), I dont think anyone is really discussing this mentality of the rioters and those involved completely different compared to say Greece. Should be an eye opener of things to come WHEN MB takes over and they will! The more they are trivialized the more its believable they will take power to get the region one step closer to a caliphate.
http://www.savingtherepublic.com
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 7:18pmFrom what I have read, these 2 seem to got the worst of it – glad they are out of the county http://wp.me/pYLB7-Am
Report Post »psycodad36
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 7:42pmyou always see the sunshine in a story,god bless you
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 8:38pmNot all invisible.
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 8:43pmAnd, some more deadly.
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 9:40pm“I say we stop sending them the 1.5 billion dollars a year to act this way. If they want to act like goons and morons then let them do it on their own dime.”
We haven’t had a problem giving that kind of money to a dictatorship oppressing its people for 30 years acting exactly like goons and thugs, torturing or simply “vanishing” people. But it was pro US, so all is well, right?
Right?
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 9:12amLooks like the protesters got more violent after COOPER.. these men have visible wounds.. glad everyone got to safety.. only hope the people of Egypt know what freedom is and don’t elect those that wish to further imprison them..
Report Post »bruins
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 1:18pmNon-S
Wrong!!!!! I have know for years that Mubarak was a dictator and a thug, just like Saddam Hussein. He was just a little quieter about it and we supported him due to his signing of the Israel-Egyptian Peace Agreement. My enemy is my enemy is my friend. That much abused statement is going to sink our ship one of these days. You can only keep so many enemies happy at the same time..
I believe you are a troll as suggested and are just lurking around making condascending statements just to get your mouth in public. Take my advise, it ain’t working……..
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