French-speaking Swiss journalist shot at favela
A few terrifying moments for an RTS sports journalist and his cameraman in Rio: After their GPS mistakenly directed them to a favela, their car came under fire. A week ago, a *Blick* journalist had been the victim of a brazen theft.
The media office of the western Swiss television RTS confirmed on Tuesday reports of the Fribourg daily La Liberté and the local station Radio Fribourg. According to the report, journalist Marc-André Berset, who is reporting on the Olympics from Rio de Janeiro for RTS, wanted to drive to a stadium early Sunday evening with his Brazilian cameraman. To avoid the traffic jam, their chauffeur used a navigation device. Instead of taking them to the sports arena, however, it led the journalists to the edge of a slum in the big city. There they were threatened by an armed man on the street. Instead of stopping, the driver had the presence of mind to step on the gas pedal. The man then shot in the direction of the fleeing car, but did not injure anyone. A sports journalist from the SDA, who met Berset afterwards, described the French-speaking Swiss colleague as "shocked". He was visibly shocked by the incident. Berset himself did not want to comment on request.
The codes of the favelas
Although security in Rio was drastically increased during the Games and the military and police are omnipresent in the streets, the crime rate in the metropolis remains high. Many of the favelas, the poor neighborhoods, are now so-called pacified: There are no more gang wars - or at least significantly fewer - since a special police unit has been present to keep the peace. In principle, it is also possible for foreigners to visit favelas. However, the accompaniment of a local with contacts to residents is a prerequisite - he knows the unwritten laws of the neighborhoods and the rules of conduct.
Uber cab tire slashed
However, crime does not only exist in the poor quarters, but also in the more noble places like Copacabana. The news about thefts and robberies are coming in daily. Several cameramen from different countries have already had their equipment stolen. One of the victims is Blick journalist Fabio Back. Under the title "So brazenly I was robbed" he immediately reported on the incident himself, which was recorded by a surveillance camera: Two criminals slashed a tire of his Uber cab. When the driver has to stop and change the wheel, he is distracted by the men. After that, his video equipment and laptop worth 10'000 francs are gone. The gangs do not stop at the athletes either - and not even at the use of weapons. U.S. Olympic swimming champion Ryan Lochte and three teammates were robbed on the night of Sunday on the way home from a party. Their cab was held up by criminals dressed as police officers; the men threatened the swimmers with firearms. The Americans were also unharmed. (SDA)
