Suspect Detained in Journalist Murder Case

The court arrested three people under suspicion of having murdered chief editor Cihan Hayırsevener from Bandırma in the province of Balıkesir in the south of the Sea of Marmara. 29-year-old defendant Serkan Erakkuş was taken in detention.

Journalist Hayırsevener from Güney Marmara'da Yaşam newspaper ('Life in Southern Marmara') had been threatened for a while before he was shot on Atatürk Boulevard on 18 December. He bled to death after the attacker had shot several bullets in Hayırsevener's leg.

"We will follow this malicious and treacherous attack up till the end"

Serkan Erakkuş was arrested on 23 December in the town of Edincik. The Bandırma High Criminal Court took Erakkuş into detention under charges of murder and brought the defendant to the Bandırma M Type Closed Prison. Defendants Tolga Ö. and Ali T. were arrested in the Balıkesir district of Burhaniye. The court decided to prosecute them un-detained.

The police stated to have confiscated the weapon used for the murder and furthermore confirmed upon eye-witnesses and footage of security camera that two cars had been used in the incident. The cars had been rented and were found in the districts of Susurluk and Bandırma respectively.

According to information on the web site of Marmara TV, Erakkuş confessed his crime but did not give any further statement making use of his right to refuse to give evidence. It was reported that the police gave important hints concerning the attack.

In the news on the web site it was said, "We will follow this malicious and treacherous attack up till the end. We believe that punishment will be pronounced to the suspects and the focus of power behind them and we share the trust we have in the judiciary with the public".

Demir: Journalist became victim of criminal organization

Board Member of the Turkish Federation of Turkey and Balıkesir Journalists Association President Ramazan Demir and Ümit Babacan, owner of the Güney Marmara Yaşam newspaper Hayırsevener worked for, visited Governor Yılmaz Arslan last week.

In a press conference held in the Journalists Association building, Demir and Babacan stated that journalist Hayırsevener was not killed as a result of a personal attack but that he became a victim of a criminal organization. Demir declared:

"As the Balıkesir Journalists Association headed by our Governor we call out to all administrative officials, business people and to the people. We want a 'Clean Balıkesir - A clean press'. There are good and bad things in the press sector just like in any other profession. We ask the people to distinguish between the good and the bad and not to grant a bonus to so-called journalists that work with threats and blackmailing".

Babacan: Hayırsevener's only worry was to protect Bandırma

Marmara TV broadcasting director and Balıkesir Journalists Association Vice President Ümit Babacan claimed: "Our colleague did not have animosities with anybody. His only worry was to protect Bandırma. If he had seen the triggerman on the road he would not have recognized him. We want the abettor to be caught". (EÖ/VK)