AFP photographer attacked by masked men in Ramallah Updated at 10h15 GMT

RAMALLAH, West Bank, April 23 (AFP) - AFP photographer Jamal Aruri was attacked Thursday night in the West Bank city of Ramallah by masked men, he said Friday, speaking from his hospital bed.

"At around 11:00 pm (0800 GMT) Thursday, two masked assailants beat me up with wooden sticks as I was taking my cameras out the trunk of my car in my house's parking lot," said Aruri, 38.

Medics at Ramallah's Zayed hospital said Aruri had his left elbow broken and required an operation. He also had six stiches on his head and right hand.

Part of his face and most of his body were badly bruised.

Aruri said his attackers broke two his cameras and his computer but did not steal any of his photographic equipment.

"I don't understand why they went after me. I don't have problems with anyone here," he said.

Policemen visited Aruri Friday as part of an investigation into the incident.

Several journalists have been assaulted and one even killed in the Palestinian territories over the past few months.

Local journalist unions have denounced previous attacks as a campaign of intimidation aimed at curbing the freedom of the press.

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