Canadian journalist alleges assault by Khalistani supporters: 'I was surrounded, threatened'
PTC News Desk: A Canadian journalist has claimed that he was heckled and threatened by a group of pro-Khalistan activist during a rally in Vancouver on Sunday. The journalist, Mocha Bezirgan, said he was targeted for his editorial independence and previous coverage of Khalistan-related protests.
The incident unfolded while Bezirgan was in the city to cover the rally organised by pro-Khalistan activists.
#WATCH | Vancouver, Canada: On being physically assaulted by Khalistanis in Vancouver, Canadian Investigative Journalist Mocha Bezirgan, says "It just happened 2 hours ago and I am still shaking. I was surrounded by multiple Khalistanis who acted like thugs. They surrounded me,… pic.twitter.com/QrMWSPbjBw — ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2025
"It just happened 2 hours ago and I am still shaking. I was surrounded by multiple Khalistanis who acted like thugs. They surrounded me, threatened me, and got physical with me, and they grabbed my phone out of my hand," Bezirgan said, sharing the ordeal on X.
The journalist further alleged that he was attacked by people who had been harrasing him for a "long time online using dehumanising language".
"I have been covering Khalistan protests in Canada, UK, US, New Zealand. My only goal is to do independent journalism and record and report what's going on and because I'm editorially independent, this frustrates some people," Bezirgan added.
"These intimidation tactics won’t stop me or influence my editorial independence," Bezirgan asserted, sharing a video of the alleged incident, which shows a man confronting the journalist.
"He refused to keep his distance from my face and began making threats of violence if I were to touch him. I kept walking away from him but his harassing behaviour wouldn’t stop... He continued following me around, mobilising others to interfere with my job, and kept appearing behind me despite being told to stay away from me," Bezirgan explained.
- PTC NEWS
