Utusan Malaysia photographer assaulted in Kota Bharu

Utusan Malaysia photographer, Irwan Majid suffered minor injuries after being assaulted by two family members of an accused facing death penalty for drug trafficking. The incident took place when the accused, Zaruna Yusof, 43, was taken out of the courtroom after the proceedings were completed. Before the scuffle occurred, the photographer was capturing photos of the accused. One of the attackers allegedly broke the victim’s camera by smashing it to the floor. An attacker was arrested by the cops while the other managed a quick escape. Irwan, 32, who suffered head and elbow injuries lodged a report at the Kota Bharu police station. Kelantan Darulnaim Press Club (Kemudi) President, Azran Fitri Abdul Rahim said that he regrets the incident and had urged the police to take appropriate action to refrain from further conduct of this nature. "As media practitioners, the photographer was only carrying out his daily task, and the family of the accused wasn't supposed to behave like that," he said in a statement. Said Azran, the public should understand the duties and responsibilities carried out by reporters and photographers. Kemudi has also urged media practitioners to look after their safety while performing their duties, particularly in risky areas. Zaruna, a tailor was charged for trafficking heroin over 50 grams and has been sentenced mandatory judgement by judge Datuk Azman Abdullah after the defendant failed to prove the reasonable doubt. Zaruna was charged for trafficking heroin at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium parking lot on January 21 last year.