Iran Photo Wins Top Honors At World Press Competition

Pietro Masturzo's winning photograph

An Italian freelance photographer, Pietro Masturzo, has won the top prize in the World Press Photo competition with his image of an Iranian woman shouting "Allahu Akbar" from a Tehran rooftop at dusk -- one of many who used that form of protest against the results of last June’s presidential election.

Judges said Masturzo's photograph captured the tension and emotion as the protests were gathering strength following the disputed vote.

The chair of the jury, Ayperi Karabuda Ecer, said: "The photo shows the beginning of something, the beginning of a huge story. It adds perspectives to news. It touches you both visually and emotionally, and my heart went out to it immediately."

The award carries a cash prize of 10,000 euros.

-- Golnaz Esfandiari