Matt Schrier

Matthew B. Schrier is an American photographer, journalist, and former cellmate of released hostage, Peter Theo Curtis.[1]

Early life and education

Schrier, a graduate of Hofstra University, was born in Syosset, New York.[2][3][4]

Career

Matt Schrier is a war photographer. He entered Syria with the help of the Free Syrian Army. Schrier captured images of FSA rebels fighting forces of the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.[1]

Abduction, imprisonment, and torture

Schrier was driving out of Syria on New Year's Eve. A Jeep Cherokee cut across from the side of the road and three guys jumped out. Scherier told 60 minutes, "One of 'em was cloaked completely in black, you know, like the guys in the movies -- scarf around his face, AK-47 in his hand, and he took me out, put me in the back seat of the Cherokee and he put the barrel of the gun to the side of my head."[1]

He was among a collection of kidnapped American journalists held by Syrian rebels.[5]

He was eventually held in a rebel-controlled prison in the Syrian city of Aleppo.[6]

His torture included beating his feet with a metal cable, and forcing a tire over his knees.[6] While he was imprisoned captors stole his identity, drained his bank account, purchased items on eBay, and emailed his family pretending to be Schrier.

He converted to Islam in March 2013.[2]

Escape

Schrier said he spent more than six months in captivity with Curtis until Schrier managed to escape from a small window secured with wire bars. Curtis was left behind.[7]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Pelley, Scott. "210 Days in Captivity". 60 Minutes. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "The New York Times". nytimes.com. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Syria strife, through a lens darkly - Times Union". timesunion.com. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Matthew Schrier, of Syosset, returns to U.S. after being held in Syrian prison - News 12 Long Island". longisland.news12.com. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  5. ↑ Pelley, Scott (August 21, 2014). "Escaped Hostage: "Oh My God They Are Collecting Us"". www.cbsnews.com. CBS News. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chivers, C.J. "American Tells of Odyssey as Prisoner of Syrian Rebels". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  7. ↑ Pelley and Messick (August 26, 2014). "Cellmate describes captivity, torture of Peter Theo Curtis". www.cbsnews.com. 60 Minutes Overtime. Retrieved September 4, 2014.