Prosecutors dismiss investigation into attack on journalist in Tekirdağ

Click to read the article in Turkish

Prosecutors have dismissed the investigation into a physical attack on a journalist in the Şarköy district of Tekirdağ, northwestern Türkiye.

In early October, Alper Var, the brother of the mayor of Şarköy, Alpay Var, attacked Deniz Önal, an editor for the local Şarköy'ün Sesi newspaper reportedly because of his articles about alleged corruption in the municipality.

The Şarköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has concluded that there is no need for prosecution. Ignoring a video showing Alper Var's threats and insults against Önal, the prosecutor's office said there was no "sufficient and convincing evidence."

Yakup Önal, owner of the newspaper and Deniz Önal's father, told bianet that they would appeal the decision.

The police and the prosecutors did not work on the file and the investigation was dismissed in 18 days, he noted.

"The police did nothing. There was a camera recording of two people. They put it into the inquiry file. But they did not get statements from the people who took the videos. A bank had camera recordings. They didn't get those. Workplaces had cameras.

"Even though there were two videos in the file, [the police] delivered only one video to the prosecutor. And the prosecutor did not get it analyzed."

"They say, 'Don't write'"

The real target of the attack was himself, Yakup Önal asserted. "On that day, we had reported on the forgery of documents in relation to Alpay Var. Since I wasn't there, they attacked my son."

"Alpay Var's father, Necip Var, had come to my house last year. I was sworn at and insulted. But that case was also closed like the current one. I am not the only target of the family. Alper Var punched a woman on the beach last year. His trial continues.

"We are talking about someone who was imprisoned for simple injury during the election period. He is prone to violence. But he is encouraged because he was not punished.

"If they don't prosecute an attack on a journalist, we can't do [our] jobs. That's the purpose here anyway. They say, 'Don't write'."

"The judiciary should not serve impunity"

Erol Önderoğlu, the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) representative in Türkiye, criticized the dismissal of the investigation.

"We witness that deterrent activities towards journalists, such as threats, are not seriously investigated, and the powerful are protected.

"The fact that prosecutors are not totally engaged in collecting evidence in some cases where they don't keep the files on hold is one of the main problems. The judiciary should not serve impunity." (HA/VK)