Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Video: Shocking footage appears to capture moment Egyptian filmed his own death through his lens

Ahmed Samir Assem, a 26-year-old photojournalist, was one of 51 killed on Monday as he took photos outside the Republican Guard building in Cairo

Wednesday 10 July 2013 15:28 EDT
Comments
The moment the sniper turned on Ahmed Samir Assem
The moment the sniper turned on Ahmed Samir Assem

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Warning: You may find the footage above disturbing.

Footage has emerged which suggests a journalist captured his own death at the hands of Egyptian army snipers on camera.

Ahmed Samir Assem, a 26-year-old photojournalist, was working for an Egyptian newspaper on Monday when he was killed along with at least 51 others. He was taking pictures of the Republican Guard building in Cairo, where ousted president Mohamed Morsi is believed to be being held.

In the grainy footage, the sniper can clearly be seen shooting at targets, before pointing the gun directly at the camera.

His colleagues at the Al-Horia Wa Al-Adala newspaper said news of his death filtered through when Mr Assem's bloodied camera and mobile phone were found at the scene.

The culture editor of Mr Assem’s newspaper Ahmed Abu Zeid, told The Telegraph: "I received news that Ahmed had been shot by a sniper in the forehead while filming or taking pictures on top of the buildings around the incident.

"Ahmed’s camera was the only one which filmed the entire incident from the first moment.

"He had started filming from the beginning of the prayers so he captured the very beginnings and in the video, you can see tens of victims. Ahmed’s camera will remain a piece of evidence in the violations that have been committed."

The video said to have been recorded by Mr Assem is now being touted as evidence of the massacre in Cairo.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in