Adam Tepsurgayev
Encyclopedia
Adam Tepsurgayev was a 24-year-old Chechen
freelance cameraman murdered in the village of Alkhan-Kala on November 21, 2000.
During the First Chechen War
(1994–1996), Tepsurgayev worked as a driver and fixer
for foreign journalists. Later, he started shooting footage from the front line
s of the conflict between Russia
n troops and Chechen
separatist guerrillas. Reuters
' Moscow
bureau chief, Martin Nesirky, described him as an "irregular contributor." While most of Reuters' footage from Chechnya in 2000 was credited to Tepsurgayev, including shots of Chechen field commander Shamil Basayev
having his foot amputated, he had not worked for Reuters in the six months before he died.
Chechen
-speaking masked gunmen shot him in the thigh and groin; he subsequently bled to death. Adam's brother Ali Tepsurgayev said that Adam had been killed as punishment for his work as a journalist. He himself was wounded in the leg during the attack. A Russian government spokesman
blamed Chechen guerrillas for the murder, but local residents said the rebels had no reason to kill the cameraman. The Kremlin's Second Chechen War
aide, Sergei Yastrzhembsky, commented that Tepsurgayev had not been accredited by the Russian authorities.
Chechen people
Chechens constitute the largest native ethnic group originating in the North Caucasus region. They refer to themselves as Noxçi . Also known as Sadiks , Gargareans, Malkhs...
freelance cameraman murdered in the village of Alkhan-Kala on November 21, 2000.
During the First Chechen War
First Chechen War
The First Chechen War, also known as the War in Chechnya, was a conflict between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, fought from December 1994 to August 1996...
(1994–1996), Tepsurgayev worked as a driver and fixer
Fixer
A fixer or the fixer may refer to:in comics and literature:* The Fixer, a 1966 novel by Bernard Malamud* Fixer, the name of two different characters appearing in Marvel Comics publications...
for foreign journalists. Later, he started shooting footage from the front line
Front line
A front line is the farthest-most forward position of an armed force's personnel and equipment - generally in respect of maritime or land forces. Forward Line of Own Troops , or Forward Edge of Battle Area are technical terms used by all branches of the armed services...
s of the conflict between Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n troops and Chechen
Chechnya
The Chechen Republic , commonly referred to as Chechnya , also spelled Chechnia or Chechenia, sometimes referred to as Ichkeria , is a federal subject of Russia . It is located in the southeastern part of Europe in the Northern Caucasus mountains. The capital of the republic is the city of Grozny...
separatist guerrillas. Reuters
Reuters
Reuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
' Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
bureau chief, Martin Nesirky, described him as an "irregular contributor." While most of Reuters' footage from Chechnya in 2000 was credited to Tepsurgayev, including shots of Chechen field commander Shamil Basayev
Shamil Basayev
Shamil Salmanovich Basayev was a Chechen militant Islamist and a leader of the Chechen rebel movement.Starting as a field commander in the Transcaucasus, Basayev led guerrilla campaigns against the Russian troops for years, as well as launching mass-hostage takings of civilians, with his goal...
having his foot amputated, he had not worked for Reuters in the six months before he died.
Chechen
Chechen language
The Chechen language is spoken by more than 1.5 million people, mostly in Chechnya and by Chechen people elsewhere. It is a member of the Northeast Caucasian languages.-Classification:...
-speaking masked gunmen shot him in the thigh and groin; he subsequently bled to death. Adam's brother Ali Tepsurgayev said that Adam had been killed as punishment for his work as a journalist. He himself was wounded in the leg during the attack. A Russian government spokesman
Spokesman
A spokesperson or spokesman or spokeswoman is someone engaged or elected to speak on behalf of others.In the present media-sensitive world, many organizations are increasingly likely to employ professionals who have received formal training in journalism, communications, public relations and...
blamed Chechen guerrillas for the murder, but local residents said the rebels had no reason to kill the cameraman. The Kremlin's Second Chechen War
Second Chechen War
The Second Chechen War, in a later phase better known as the War in the North Caucasus, was launched by the Russian Federation starting 26 August 1999, in response to the Invasion of Dagestan by the Islamic International Peacekeeping Brigade ....
aide, Sergei Yastrzhembsky, commented that Tepsurgayev had not been accredited by the Russian authorities.