Journalist Hayırsevener Killed after Reports Critical of Rival Group

Journalist Cihan Hayırsevener was killed in an armed attack in Bandırma. Hayırsevener was news director of the Güney Marmara Yaşam ('Southern Marmara Life') newspaper and Marmara television. His murderers have not been found yet. Hayırsevener's colleagues said that the journalist had received threats in recent times.

Publishing director Ümit Babacan spoke at a commemoration ceremony held in front of the newspaper and TV channel prior to the journalist's funeral. "I strongly condemn the ones who asked for this trouble. This is the duty of the government now. I should say that the state must finally put an end to the relations between the media and politics.

The journalist's daughter Gaye Hayırsevener Clifford claimed, "The reason why he was killed is that he was doing his work. That he was doing journalism, that he was writing the truth. My father was actually going to Bandırma only for a short time. Then, he fell in love with the place and decided not to return to Istanbul. After that, he had his whole life here".

After the ceremony, Hayırsevener's body was brought to Istanbul and buried in the district of Kasımpaşa close to the Golden Horn.

Tensions had previously occurred between the regionally publishing Marmara group and the İlkhaber group. One of the issues of discussion was the thermal power plant planned to be built in the region. İlkhaber had criticized in their news items that the Marmara group opposed the building of the power plant. Hayırsevener had written in one of his articles that the criticism was a distortion and that the boss of İlkhaber had his stake in this issue.

Moreover, Hayırsevener wrote about corruption related to local politicians including the mayor.

Balıkesir (southern Sea of Marmara) Journalists Association President Ramazan Demir said in the funeral ceremony, "Words are not enough to express our grief. How can a weapon oppress a pen. People who are afraid of polyphony oppress democracy with their guns".

53-year-old journalist Hayırsevener was married and had 2 children. (EÜ)

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* Source: Güney Marmara'da Yaşam newspaper.