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Four suspects, who were previously taken into custody as part of the investigation launched into the assault against journalist Sabahattin Önkibar, have been released on probation by the court.
Being detained for having battered Odatv columnist Önkibar, suspects İ.A, İ.Y, İ.Ü. and İ.K. were taken from the police department to the courthouse, where they deposed to the Prosecutor's Office.
The suspects were referred to court to be arrested. However, the court has ruled that all of the suspects shall be released on probation.
Assaulters of two journalists released as well
Five journalists have been physically assaulted in Turkey over the last two weeks, namely Yavuz Selim Demirağ, a program producer for Türkiyem TV and a columnist for daily Yeni Çağ; İdris Özyol, a columnist for the Antalya-based Akdeniz'de Yeni Yüzyıl newspaper; Ergin Çevik, the Editor-in-Chief of Antalya-based Güney Haberci news website; Hakan Denizli, the Grant Holder of the Adana-based daily Egemen newspaper; Sabahattin Önkibar, a columnist for the Odatv news website.
CLICK - Five Journalists Physically Assaulted Over the Last Two Weeks
While the ones taken into custody for having attacked journalist Yavuz Selim Demirağwas released by the Prosecutor's Office on the ground that "Demirağ did not have a risk of death", two people detained in relation with the attack against Ergin Çevik were released on probation after deposing to the Prosecutor's Office. Hakan Denizli's attackers, whose physical appearance has been identified, are still sought by the police.
What happened?
Journalist Sabahattin Önkibar, a columnist for the Odatv news website, was attacked on May 26. Being on his way home, Önkibar was intercepted and punched by three people.
While the journalist filed a complaint against the assaulters, one of the two vehicles driven by them has been detected based on witnesses' accounts.
Stating that the Governor of Ankara personally called him and extended his get well soon wishes, Önkibar also shared the information that the vehicle of the attackers was a rental one. (AÖ/SD)
