Journalist, former All Black caught in Egypt protests

This image of anti-Government protests in Egypt was taken by Kiwi Glen Johnson before he was beaten up by security forces. Photo / Glen Johnson

A New Zealand journalist and a former All Black have been caught up in violent protests in Egypt, with the journalist being beaten by security forces.

At least 73 people have been killed across Egypt and thousands injured in anti-government riots as protesters demand the that President Hosni Mubarak resign.

Kiwi freelance journalist Glen Johnson told the Herald on Sunday he was taking photographs in Cairo a few days ago when a security officer hit him.

"One officer ran up shouting at me to leave. I told him I was a journalist. The first blow from his truncheon landed square across my shoulder blades as I turned from him," Johnson said.

He was also hit on the back and arms and was "a little banged up but fine".

Also in Cairo is former All Black Frank Bunce and a four-strong television crew, who were in the Egyptian capital filming Intrepid Journeys.

The party was safe in their hotel, Bunce said in a text to the Fairfax media last last night.

The situation had settled a little but it had been "crazy" on Friday night (local time), with fires burning, burned out vehicles in the streets and a heavy military presence.

"It is an intrepid journey he is on and they do go to places that are not for the faint-hearted," TVNZ spokeswoman Kath Klouwens told the newspaper.

"It is the nature of the show. We trust the producers that people will be safe when they go away, but it is all part of what this programme is about."

- NZPA