シリアで死刑判決を受けたと報じられた、あるMIT研究員のこと

投稿日: 2015年12月19日 12時32分 JST 更新: 2015年12月19日 13時35分 JST

世界に多大な貢献をした起業家の中にはシリアにルーツを持つ人々がいる。その代表がスティーブ・ジョブズだが、彼ほど知られていないものの、バセル・ハルタビルもまた英雄の一人だ。

私がクリエイティブ・コモンズのCEOに就任して、まずはじめに取り組んだ施策の1つが、中東における私たちの存在感を強めることだった。クリエイティブ・コモンズと私たちのフリーカルチャー運動は世界中に広まっており、これまでで世界60以上の国や地域で適用されてきたが、アラブ諸国での成果はそれまでヨルダン、エジプト、そしてレバノンに限定されていた。

数人の弁護士や法律学者に興味を持ってもらうことはできたものの、技術者が深刻なほど不足していた。シリアに住んでいたバセルはフリー/オープンソース・ソフトウェアのプロジェクトを熱心に広め、シリアのクリエイティブ・コモンズ代表になってくれた。シリアでこれらの言葉を広める働きだけでなく、フリー/オープンソースの数少ないソフトウェア開発者の一人としても、この地域を代表する立役者だった。

私はいくつかの会議を経て彼と知り合った。そこでは彼は、自らのソフトウェアに関するプロジェクトだけではなく、地元シリアのことをよく話していた。2009年、ヨルダン・アンマンでのカンファレンスの後、彼は私たちをダマスカスに招待してくれた。

最初は少し不安だった。アメリカの組織がシリアでビジネスを行うには、いくらかの制約があったからだ。しかし彼は熱心だった。ヨルダンとシリアの国境で些細なトラブルにあったものの、バセルは驚くほど落ち着いて、それでいて効率的な方法でそれを解決してくれた。

現地で彼は、地元の起業家や技術リーダーを招いて素晴らしいアートホテルでの夕食をセッティングし、その後アーティストのコミュニティと交流できる特別な機会を作ってくれた。アーティストたちとの交流会は、オーナーが地下2階分を掘って作られたとても古びた家で行われた。――ダマスカスは、異なる時代に建設されたいくつかの古代都市が下地となって作られた都市である。私たちは古代ローマ人によって建設された地下2階の部屋で夕食を取った。

この交流会で彼はクリエイティブ・コモンズについてアーティストたちに説明した。――つまり作者が自分の作品にCCライセンスを表示し、それにより人々が作品を自由に利用し拡散できることを証明する、という仕組みをだ。リーダーの1人と家のオーナーが手にしたワインを掲げ、自分たちの作品のクリエイティブ・コモンズ利用を誓って乾杯してくれた。そして、一人また一人と他のアーティストたちも参加することに同意してくれた。

それは本当に素晴らしい瞬間だった。歴史的な都市の歴史的な場所で、素晴らしい人々と集ったその時間は、クリエイティブ・コモンズが経験した中でも最高のひと時だった。バセルがいたダマスカスはその地域における文化の中心だったと、はっきりと言える。

その後バセルはシリア最大手の美術出版社を紹介してくれ、私たちはその出版社との覚書を交わそうとしていた。だが、アメリカの弁護士によると、シリアとアメリカとのビジネスにおける制約により、いかなる契約も結ぶことはできないという。

バセルはそのとき調印式の準備を手伝っていたので、私は弁護士との電話を切り、すぐその場に駆け付けると、「両国政府間の関係により契約書にサインをすることはできないが、彼らの取り組みに対して支援は行う」と約束をした。出版社の社長は、彼の文化では約束こそが契約よりも重要だと述べると、彼らもまたクリエイティブ・コモンズとそのコーディネーターであるバセルを支援すると約束してくれた（当時撮影した何枚かの写真は、ここでみることができる）。

この旅以降、私たちはみなシリアという国とその文化、そしてシリアの人々に愛着を持つようになった。バセルはそのガイドとなり、また橋渡しとなってくれた。彼はアーティストとコンピュータープログラマーがダマスカスで共に活動できるスペース作りに奮闘すると同時に、シリアで何が起こっているかを私たちに教えるため、世界中で開催される多くのカンファレンスに出席した。

シリアの状況が悪化していく中、私たちはバセルの身の安全を気にかけていた。彼は活動家でも戦闘員でも政治家でもないとはいえ、インターネットをオープンにし、コンテンツにアクセス可能にするという彼の仕事が、インターネットと言論の自由を「取り締まり」しようとする人間にとって、反体制的だとみなされるのではないかと恐れていたのだ。

はたして、カンファレンスからシリアに戻った彼は2012年3月15日、シリア政府により逮捕され、やがて弁護士もつけられず軍法会議で裁判にかけられたのだった。

bassel khartabil

バゼルはシリアの豊かな文化に、そしてそれを守ることに力を尽くした。彼のオープンインターネットと国内外を問わないオープンカルチャーへの貢献、それに彼のリサーチおよび創造性は、私たちみなに利益をもたらした。彼のような人間の存在無しには、インターネットは活発化していなかっただろうし、もはや私たちが存在を当然に感じている、いくつものオープンな資源もなかったはずだ。

2015年10月22日、MITメディアラボは、市民メディアセンター研究員としてバセルを招き入れようとした。過激派組織IS（イスラム国）により破壊されたシリアの都市遺跡パルミラの3Dモデル構築継続のためだ。

しかし、彼の妻であり人権弁護士のノーラ・ガジ女史によれば、彼女はアサド政権内の人物から接触を受け、バセルは死刑判決が下されたと伝えられたという。噂の真偽を確認することは不可能だが、彼の友人や表現の自由を守ろうとする全ての人にとって、憂慮すべき報告だ。

私たちはバセルがメディアラボが用意した職に就けることを望んでいると同時に、彼が死刑宣告を受けたという噂が事実ではないことを切に願っている。彼が受けている政権の恣意に基づく勾留を広く世に知らせること、そして彼の所在地を見つけ出し、即時放免する働きかけについて、皆さんにご協力をお願いしたい。

――――
伊藤穣一（Joi）は日系アメリカ人のアクティビスト、作家、ブロガー、起業家、投資家、MITメディアラボ所長。インターネットとテクノロジーを専門にしている。マサチューセッツ州ボストン在住。

本記事の関連情報：
バセル氏に対するMIT研究員職のオファーの詳細：
http://joi.ito.com/weblog/2015/10/22/mit-media-lab-r.html

バセル氏のwikipedia：
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bassel_Khartabil

Movements.orgでバセル氏の支援を申し出る：
https://movements.org/market/1418

人権に対する戦いをクラウドソーシングするサイト、Movements.orgへの参加は以下から：
Movements.org

この記事はハフポストUS版に掲載されたものを翻訳しました。

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A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a partial view of the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a partial view of the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SAMMY KETZ A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows the external courtyard of the sanctuary of Baal in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. Syria's fabled desert Greco-Roman oasis of Palmyra saw its last tourist in September 2011, six months after the uprising began. Its most recent visitors are violence and looting. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows the sanctury of Baal in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows the courtyard of the sanctury of Baal in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows Syrian citizens walking in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows the inside of the sanctury of Baal in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows the courtyard of the sanctury of Baal in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
Tourists are seen visiting Palmyra also known as Tadmur in Arabic, 220 kms northeast of the Syrian capital Damascus, on June 19, 2010, a wealthy city located along the caravan routes linking Persia with the Mediterranean ports of Roman Syria and Phoenicia and home to Queen Septimia Zenobia, eventually captured by Roman Emperor Aurelian and brought to Rome and paraded in golden chains, but allowed to retire and live her life in Tibur. AFP PHOTO/LOUAI BESHARA (Photo credit should read LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images)
A view of Palmyra also known as Tadmur in Arabic, 220 kms northeast of the Syrian capital Damascus, on June 19, 2010, a wealthy city located along the caravan routes linking Persia with the Mediterranean ports of Roman Syria and Phoenicia and home to Queen Septimia Zenobia, eventually captured by Roman Emperor Aurelian and brought to Rome and paraded in golden chains, but allowed to retire and live her life in Tibur. AFP PHOTO/LOUAI BESHARA (Photo credit should read LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images)
Tourists are seen visiting Palmyra also known as Tadmur in Arabic, 220 kms northeast of the Syrian capital Damascus, on June 19, 2010, a wealthy city located along the caravan routes linking Persia with the Mediterranean ports of Roman Syria and Phoenicia and home to Queen Septimia Zenobia, eventually captured by Roman Emperor Aurelian and brought to Rome and paraded in golden chains, but allowed to retire and live her life in Tibur. AFP PHOTO/LOUAI BESHARA (Photo credit should read LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images)
Palmyra, SYRIA: A picture shows a camel in the historic town of Palmyra during the al-Badia festival, northeastern Damascus, 05 May 2007. The festival activities, held by the Ministry of Tourism, include horse and camel races, competition for the prettiest mare, art exhibitions and musical concerts. AFP PHOTO/LOUAI BESHARA (Photo credit should read LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images)
FILE - This FILE photo released on Sunday, May 17, 2015, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows the general view of the ancient Roman city of Palmyra, northeast of Damascus, Syria. Islamic State militants seized parts of the ancient town of Palmyra in central Syria on Wednesday after fierce clashes with government troops, renewing fears the extremist group would destroy the priceless archaeological site if it reaches the ruins. (SANA via AP, File)
FILE - This file photo released on Sunday, May 17, 2015, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows the general view of the ancient Roman city of Palmyra, northeast of Damascus, Syria. Islamic State militants seized parts of the ancient town of Palmyra in central Syria on Wednesday after fierce clashes with government troops, renewing fears the extremist group would destroy the priceless archaeological site if it reaches the ruins. (SANA via AP, File)
A general view taken on May 18, 2015 shows the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, a day after Islamic State (IS) group jihadists fired rockets into the city, killing several people. Fierce clashes have rocked Palmyra's outskirts since IS launched an offensive on May 13 to capture the 2,000-year-old world heritage site nicknamed 'the pearl of the desert'. AFP PHOTO /STR (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
A general view taken on May 18, 2015 shows the castle of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, a day after Islamic State (IS) group jihadists fired rockets into the city and killing five people. Fierce clashes have rocked Palmyra's outskirts since IS launched an offensive on May 13 to capture the 2,000-year-old world heritage site nicknamed 'the pearl of the desert'. AFP PHOTO /STR (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows the he Tetrapylon (Monumental Entrance), which was reconstructed after 1963 by the Directorate of Antiquities of Syria, in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows columns in the courtyard of the temple of Baal at the ancient city of Palmyra on March 14, 2014, damaged by artillary shelling in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a Syrian policeman standing on the sanctury of Baal in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows damage caused by shelling on a wall in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows damage caused by shelling on a wall in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows damage caused by shelling on a wall in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows columns in the courtyard of the temple of Baal at the ancient city of Palmyra on March 14, 2014, damaged by artillary shelling in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2002, file photo, a symbolic trade caravan representing the prosperous trade during the era of Queen Zanobya 260-273AD attend a show held in the ancient city of Palmyra, some 240 kilometers (150 miles) northeast of Damascus, Syria. A Syrian official said on Sunday that the situation is "fully under control" in Palmyra despite breaches by Islamic State militants who pushed into the historic town a day earlier. (AP Photo/Bassem Tellawi, File)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows carvings on a wall in the courtyard of the sanctury of Baal in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a partial view of the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows carvings on a wall in the courtyard of the sanctury of Baal in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a Syrian policemen patrolling the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a Syrian policeman patrolling the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a partial view of the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 the Temple of Standards seen through two Corinthian columns in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows Syrian policemen patrolling the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a partial view of the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a partial view of the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
Syria. Palmyra was in the ancient times an important city of central Syria, located in an oasis 215 km northeast of Damascus and 120 km southwest of the Euphrates. It has long been a vital caravan city for travellers crossing the Syrian desert and was known as the Bride of the Desert. The Greek name for the city, Palmyra (Î Î±Î»Î¼ÏÏÎ±), is a translation of its original Aramaic name, Tadmor, which means 'palm tree'. Tadmor (in Arabic ØªØ¯ÙØ±) is today the name of a small city next to the ruins, heavily dependent on tourism. In the mid-first century A.D., Palmyra, a wealthy and elegant Syrian city located along the caravan routes linking the Parthian Iran with the Mediterranean ports of Roman Syria and Phoenicia, came under Roman control. During the following period of great prosperity, the Aramaean citizens of Palmyra adopted customs and modes of dress from both the Iranian Parthian world to the east and the Graeco-Roman west. Infor and reading more at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra
Heritage site: Site of Palmyra, Syrian Arab Republic One of many fabulous historic sites in Syria. Every day, taxis take groups of people up to the Arab castle that overlooks the Roman city, to watch the sunset. The view is great , the castle is largely intact and loads of fun to run around, and the colours, best seen when looking in the opposite direction from this picture, are stunning. But the really memorable thing about Palmyra, and, indeed, the rest of Syria was the friendliness and hospitality of the people there.
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SAMMY KETZ A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a sculpture depicting a princess from the ancient Syrian oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus, displayed at the city's museum. Syria's fabled desert Greco-Roman oasis of Palmyra saw its last tourist in September 2011, six months after the uprising began. Its most recent visitors are violence and looting. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SAMMY KETZ A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a partial view of the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. Syria's fabled desert Greco-Roman oasis of Palmyra saw its last tourist in September 2011, six months after the uprising began. Its most recent visitors are violence and looting. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a sculpture depicting a rich family from the ancient Syrian oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus, displayed at the city's museum. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a sculpture found in the ancient Syrian oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus, and now displayed at the city's museum. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SAMMY KETZ A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a sculpture found in the ancient Syrian oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus, and now displayed at the city's museum. Syria's fabled desert Greco-Roman oasis of Palmyra saw its last tourist in September 2011, six months after the uprising began. Its most recent visitors are violence and looting. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)