Reactions Against Attack on Yeni Şafak, Yeni Akit

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International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC) have denounced attack carried out with arms and molotov bombs on Yeni Şafak and Yeni Akit.

IPI: Outcome of hostile climate

IPI in its statement has emphasized that the attack is an outcome of “hostile climate” generated by government’s speeches targeting critical media and attack against Hürriyet daily and journalist Ahmet Hakan going unpunished.

The statement signed by IPI Director of Advocacy and Communications, Steven M. Ellis has said, “The attacker be it ordinary citizen, organized crime organization or even a state officer, authorities must account for anyone because of this attack”.

TGC: Democracy is regime of tolerance

TGC has demanded the perpetrators to be found as soon as possible in its statement saying, “Democracy is regime of tolerating different opinions. It is not a regime of uniform human, uniform journalist, and uniform news”.

Bihr: Hatred speech must be abandoned

RSF Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, Johann Bihr stated, “Use of violence is a proof of dangerous level polarization in Turkey has come. The government, politicians, and media outlets from any political tendency must abandon their aggressive rhetoric and hatred speech”.

What had happened?

In the early morning hours an attack was carried out with molotov bombs and gun shootings to the buildings of Yeni Akit and Yeni Şafak Newspapers.

The attack was carried out on the building of Yeni Şafak daily located in Bayrampaşa at around 5 a.m by unidentified 3-4 persons with masks and with molotov bombs and guns. It was reported that the assailants had thrown a molotov bomb at the entrance door and opened fire at the windows of the building with long-barreled weapons. The fire at the door was later extinguished by a security staff.

Again at around 5:30 a.m. another attack was carried out against Akit Media Group’s building in Küçükçekmece where Yeni Akit daily is located. It was reported that molotov bombs were thrown at the parking area and a pick-up truck parked in front of the building and that fire was opened on the building with long-barreled weapons. (EA/TK)