Investigation against MP over bodyguard attack on journalist

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An informal bodyguard of Democratic Party (DP) Vice Chair Cemal Enginyurt has been arrested after reportedly battering a journalist following an argument with the politician during a live TV programme.

Tensions rose between Enginyurt and journalist Latif Şimşek during a discussion programme on TV100 on Saturday (August 6). Shortly afterwards, a person who had come to the studio with Enginyurt battered the journalist, according to Anadolu Agency (AA).

The programme continued without the journalist after a 20-minute break.

Şimşek then received a medical report indicating that he had been battered and filed a criminal complaint against Enginyurt and his "bodyguard."

The suspect named Emrah T., who does not hold an official position as a bodyguard, was detained yesterday. A penal judgeship of peace arrested him today for "threat, insult and willful injury."

The suspect had a criminal record for several offenses, including wilful murder, threat, willful injury and endangering traffic safety, TV100 reported.

Cemal Enginyurt was elected an MP from the government allies Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in the 2018 election. In December 2020, he switched to the DP, a member of the six-party opposition bloc.

CLICK - BİA Media Monitoring Reports

(RT/HA/VK)