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A Turkish cameraman working for Anadolu Agency (AA) was hospitalized on Tuesday after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers forcefully intervened while he was filming arrests outside a federal courthouse, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground.
Vural Elibol, chief cameraman for Türkiye's state-run news agency, was documenting ICE officers detaining immigrants following their mandatory court appearances at the New York Federal Courthouse when officers confronted him.
The cameraman fell backward and struck his head hard on the ground during the confrontation, according to witnesses.
Colleagues rushed to assist Elibol, who remained motionless on the ground as a precaution against potential brain injury while waiting for an ambulance.
Eyewitnesses reported that ICE officers chased an immigrant from the hearing into an elevator, and Elibol was attempting to film the altercation when another officer forcefully intervened.
Fellow journalists who witnessed the incident said officers shouted "get out of the elevator" during the altercation, though they noted Elibol was already outside the elevator at the time.
The forceful intervention was captured on Elibol's own camera. The footage shows the cameraman suddenly collapsing to the ground, with colleagues rushing to his aid and waiting for emergency medical assistance.
Emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene and fitted Elibol with a neck brace before transporting him to a nearby hospital.
Hospital staff conducted initial examinations and X-rays. Elibol remains under observation at the medical facility as a precautionary measure.
The incident occurred as ICE operations have intensified at federal courthouses across the United States, with officers detaining immigrants immediately following court proceedings.
3 min read
