Local journalists attacked by an ultranationalist group in Konya

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Journalist Umut Yaygır, the grant holder of a local news website in Konya's Ereğli, and Özcan Saraç were attacked, allegedly by an ultranationalist group known as "Gray Wolves" or "Idealist Hearths".

Battered by the group while they were eating at a restaurant, the journalists were taken to the Ereğli State Hospital for treatment.

As reported by daily Sözcü, the journalists have noted that the head of Ereğli Idealist Hearts, affiliated with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), was among the group of 10-15 people who attacked them.

They have also alleged that the attack was instigated by Hüseyin Oprukçu, the Mayor of Ereğli from the MHP.

Speaking to the press during their treatment at the hospital, journalist Umut Yaygır briefly stated the following:

"We were subjected to an ugly attack today. We don't have a serious health problem, but we have been told that we need to stay in the short stay unit for a while due to the blows to our bodies.

"The perpetrators of the attack are evident. The teams of our security directorate have launched an inquiry. The reason why we are here is the news that we reported to protect the interests of the people of Ereğli.

"In that sense, we were attacked by the Idealist Hearths. We leave it to the discretion of our people who gave the order.

"Everyone should know that we may sacrifice our lives to defend the people of Ereğli, but we will not turn away from this path".

'They broke glasses, attacke us'

Noting that other journalists are threatened as well, journalist Özcan Saraç said the following about the attack:

"While we, as journalists doing our job, were eating at a restaurant with journalist Umut Yaygır, there were also a group of 10-15 people along with the head and vice head of the Idealist Hearths.

"We were attacked with punches. They even broke the water glasses on the table where we ate and attacked us. We make news for the good of the country. The people of Ereğli know who gave the order.

"They should know very well that neither threats nor attacks will prevent us from doing our job. There are bruises especially on our head and in our other body parts. I called MHP Ereğli District Chair Musa Yılmaz after the attack but he did not answer my call.

"Similarly, they verbally harassed our other friends. As we have said, we will keep questioning the truth. They attack us like this because they cannot answer our questions. I condemn it".

Attempt to seal off journalists' office

Last October, in a program, Özcan Saraç and Umut Yaygır alleged that "the vehicles belonging to the Ereğli Municipality were made available for a businessperson with close ties to MHP's Mayor Oprukçu".

A day after the allegation was made, the municipal police officers raided the office of the journalists and wanted to seal it off.

When the journalists wanted to see the council decision, the municipal police teams were unable to present the official decision.

Last December, journalist Özcan Saraç was punched by MHP Ereğli District Vice Chair Hasan Yazar while he was walking on the road. (HA/SD)