RSF denounces killing of radio presenter Özsu

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Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the killing of radio presenter Hazım Özsu in Turkey's western province of Bursa.

While RSF International has raised concerns about the government's stance and impunity, RSF Representative to Turkey Erol Önderoğlu has said, "We condemn the ones who encourage this environment."

'A country where impunity is the rule'

RSF has made the following statement:

"A radio presenter, Hazım Özsu, was shot dead in the district of Orhangazi in Bursa. Quickly arrested by police, the gunman explained he did this because he 'disliked his comments on the radio, during Covid-19 period!'

"The RSF condemns this heinous murder perpetrated in a country where the government has taken no stance against politically motivated violence and where impunity is the rule."

'We condemn the ones who encourage it'

RSF Representative to Turkey Erol Önderoğlu has also said: 

"The violence and intolerance against journalists has manifested itself in the most painful way possible in Bursa Orhangazi. Radio presenter Hazım Özsu was killed by a person (H.N) who said that he 'disliked his program' when he was caught. We condemn the ones who encourage this environment.

"We demand that the killing of Hazım Özsu on March 9 evening be brought to light in all aspects. The first findings indicate that he was killed due to his profession."

Assaulter arrested

The suspect who shot radio presenter Hazım Özsu to death in Osmangazi district in Bursa has been arrested.

Taken into custody by the Bursa Security Directorate teams for allegedly killing Hazım Özsu (55), H.N. was referred to the courthouse after the related procedures were completed there. The suspect has been arrested by the judgeship of duty that he was referred to.

What happened?

Hazım Özsu, presenting a program with religious content in Rahmet FM radio channel, was killed by a person who came to his house in Altınova Neighborhood in Osmangazi district on March 9 evening.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), 322 security cameras were examined to find the assaulter who fled the scene of the incident.

After he was caught, the suspect said that he killed Hazım Özsu because he disliked some of the remarks he made during his radio program. (EKN/SD)