Reston Resident Stabbed In Possible Assassination Attempt In Turkey: Report

RESTON, VA — A Syrian filmmaker who calls Reston home is recovering in Istanbul, Turkey after an apparent assassination attempt on Tuesday.

Muhammad Bayazid -- who, according to his LinkedIn page, lives in Reston and owns D.C.-based LightArt Media Productions -- was stabbed in the chest while meeting with investors for a new film project that examines Syria's infamous Tadmor prison, according to a Middle East Eye report.

His wife, Samah Safi Bayazid, said on Facebook that it was an "assassination attempt," the report states.

Mohammed Ghanem, who says he is friend of Bayazid, stated in a Facebook post -- a screenshot of which was posted by Middle East Eye -- that he was "deeply disturbed and distressed by the horrendous news of the assassination attempt." He believes the Syrian government is behind the attack and the meeting with investors was a ruse to make an attempt on his life.

"Muhammad is an immensely talented and very successful filmmaker, who, together with his wife Samah, has established himself as a role model for a new generation of aspiring film directors," he wrote. "Through trainings and workshops they hold- often free of charge- the power couple have shared their skills and talents with countless youths in the Middle East and byeond. Their films chiefly concern themselves with social and humanitarian issues so I wouldn't be surprised if Assad or ISIS are found to be the culprits, especially with this week's release of the trailer of 'The Tunnel,' their new film about Tadmur prison, one of Syria's most notorious jails."

Image: A promotional poster of "Fireplace," a film by Bayazid's LightArt Media Productions.