Syrian Journalist Shot in Antep Loses His Life

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Syrian journalist Muhammed Zahir el Şerkat shot in Antep in the middle of the street has lost his life in the hospital.

Halep Today’s correspondent Şerkat had been attacked by unidentified persons while walking on the street on Sunday (April 10) in Antep. The journalists who got wounded on the head and his hand was being treated in the intensive care unit.

According to BBC Turkey’s report, the journalist’s friends had reported that Şerkat had been receiving death threats from ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). According to the report, ISIS had claimed responsibility on Aamaq News Agency noting that “the journalists was hosting anti-ISIS programmes”

CPJ: Authorities should make Turkey safe for journalists

Making a statement over the death of the Syrian journalists, CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova has noted:  "Turkish authorities must urgently demonstrate that killing journalists on the streets of Turkey is unacceptable and will not go unpunished. [...] We call on security officials to hunt down Zaher al-Shurqat's killers, bring them to justice, and ensure journalists can work safely throughout the country."

Three Journalists were killed earlier

On October 30, 2015 who Syrian journalists İbrahim Abdulkadir and Firaz El Hamadi were killed in the house they had been living together in Urfa.

On December 27, Journalists Naci El Jerf was shot to death by unidentified persons in Antep in the middle of the street. He was known for a documentary he had made about ISIS.

ISIS had claimed responsibility for the murder of all three journalists.

Syrian Journalists met Erdoğan

The Syrian journalists had met President Recep Tayyip erdoğan on January 22. The problems of Syrian journalists living in Turkey were discussed in the meeting. (EA/DG)