Farkhad Kerimov, who was killed in Chechnya in May, Friday became the first recipient of a new prize for freelance cameramen and women. The award was founded in honor of Rory Peck, who was himself shot dead at Ostankino two years ago this week.


The award is for those who "in the spirit of Rory Peck, have shown courage, skill and initiative whilst filming in difficult and dangerous conditions during the previous year." The prize, of ?1,000, was presented to Kerimov's widow, Valentina, at a ceremony at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in London.


Before Chechnya, Kerimov, an Azeri by birth, had also covered the wars in Karabakh, Georgia and Tajikistan as a cameraman, working for Reuters and the Associated Press. His footage of Russian helicopter gunships in action over Argun last December, taken at great personal risk, was some of the most dramatic of the Chechen war.


On May 22, Kerimov was murdered by unknown attackers while on the Chechen side of the lines. His hands were tied and he was shot several times, in circumstances which have never been cleared up. His body is still buried in a shallow grave near where he died.


Explaining their decision, the award committee said that Kerimov had shown "the courage and single-mindedness that were Rory Peck's trademark," and that his work, "like Rory's coverage, showed a distinguishing touch of humanity and sympathy for people caught up in a harrowing situation."


Kerimov was 47 when he was killed. He leaves behind his widow, two children, three younger sisters and a younger brother. The prize is intended to help support such dependents.


Among those shortlisted for the prize were another cameraman from the Chechen war, Nigel Chandler, Elizabeth Cieriog Jones, who covered the genocide in Rwanda, and James Miller, who has been covering the Kurdish rebellion in Turkey.