OSCE 'concerned' over Anadolu journalist hurt in Paris

By Askin Kiyagan

VIENNA (AA) - An Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) official on Saturday expressed concern over an Anadolu Agency photojournalist who was wounded this week covering protests in France.

“Very concerned by the situation of @aa_french photojournalist Mustafa Yalgin [Yalcin], seriously wounded while covering yesterday's protests in #France,” Harlem Desir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, said on Twitter late Friday.

“Other journalists were also injured,” he added, mentioning French videojournalist Gaspard Glanz of Taranis News, who was reportedly injured on Thursday. “There must be investigations into these incidents.”

During clashes between police and demonstrators, Yalcin’s left eye was injured when a gas canister fired by security forces struck him in the face.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital and underwent a six-hour operation on Friday.

- Protests in France

France's Interior Ministry said 806,000 people took part in the protests, while labor unions put the number at nearly 1.5 million.

The strike impacted all public transport systems in the country, according to local media reports.

A total of 90 people have been arrested in Paris, police said.

Some train, subway and bus services were canceled and many schools were closed, while 20% of flights to the country were canceled.

The strike is set to continue until Monday, according to labor unions.

The walkout came after the government voiced determination to implement pension reforms despite widespread opposition.

* Writing by Sena Guler