Veteran Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by an armor-piercing projectile fired directly at her head by an Israeli sniper, Palestinian attorney general Akram Al-Khatib said Thursday.
Al-Khatib shared the details based on the Public Prosecution’s report about the killing of the Al Jazeera journalist at a news conference in Ramallah city.
“An Israeli sniper directly fired a bullet at Abu Akleh’s head while she was trying to escape, although she was wearing a helmet and a vest that was clearly marked with the word ‘PRESS,’” he said.
Al Jazeera News Network will refer the killing of its veteran Jerusalem reporter Palestinian-American journalist Shireen abu Akleh to the International Criminal court, ICC. Abu Akleh was shot and killed by Israeli army soldiers according to eyewitnesses.https://t.co/oyPvwZ0pqM
— Ali Younes (@Ali_reports) May 26, 2022
Al-Khatib noted that other journalists who were accompanying Abu Akleh were also “deliberately” targeted by gunfire.
He said the bullet that killed the Palestinian journalist had general and specific markings that match a Mini Ruger semi-automatic sniper weapon.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera announced that it will send Abu Akleh’s murder case to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The Network vows to follow every path to achieve justice for Shireen, and ensure those responsible for her killing are brought to justice and held accountable in all international justice and legal platforms and courts,” it said on its website.
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On May 11, Abu Akleh, 51, was covering an Israeli military raid near the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank when she was shot dead.
Palestinian officials and her employer, Al Jazeera, said she was killed by Israeli forces.
Anadolu with additional input by GVS News Desk