Ali G's snap 'attack'

Showbiz

09:30 16 July 2005

Ali G star Sacha Baron Cohen allegedly grabbed a photographer's throat when he tried to take his picture.

The funnyman reportedly lashed out when shutterbug Richard Corkery tried to snap Sacha and his fiancée, Isla Fisher, at the New York premiere of Isla's new film, 'Wedding Crashers'.

The former 'Home and Away' beauty smiled as Corkery set up a shot for America's New York Daily News newspaper - but Sacha rushed over and apparently tried to choke the snapper with a "martial arts-style hold".

He reportedly warned the photographer not to take his picture without permission before letting go.

Stunned Corkery - who has not yet decided whether or not to press charges against the star - said: "It was shocking. You just don't expect that someone would grab your throat."

However, Sacha's spokesman, Matt La Bove, insists the spoof rapper did not attack Corkery, and claims he was simply protesting at having his photo taken in a private area of the premiere party, which was held at New York nightspot Cipriani.

He told the New York Daily News: "He did not put a hand on Dick. He put his hand in front of the camera but did not touch him."

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