Journalist Levent Gültekin attacked by a group of two dozen people

Photo: Levent Gültekin / Twitter

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Journalist Levent Gültekin has been attacked by a group of people in front of Halk TV in Bakırköy, İstanbul.

The attack occurred while he was heading to the channel for a program that he hosts together with his colleague Murat Sabuncu.

"I was attacked by a group of 25 bandits in front of the channel. I'm okay right now, I'll tell you soon on the program," he wrote on Twitter.

Halk TV later released the footage of the attack.

"I received a lot of threats on social media. Not three or five people... At the level of a party's vice-chair... Unbelievable... It's a shame," he said during the program.

He didn't disclose the name of the political party he mentioned but said it was a "partner" of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The AKP is allied with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

The MHP was also associated with attacks in January on two journalists and a politician who criticized it.

CLICK - MHP Chair Bahçeli lambasted after continued threats against journalists, opposition

"Vice-chairs of a party that is the partner of the ruling party threaten [me] on social media. Let alone threats, they swear at [me]. They insult me," said Gültekin.

"I got off the taxi on the square. We came eye to eye with a young person. I realized that they were following me. I got a little faster, they got faster as well ... Then I went back and they also went back.

"I got a little faster ... About 50, 100 meters from the channel, 15 to 20 people attacked me at the same time from every corner of the street. They started hitting me."

"I'm not angry at those who attacked me"

"Twenty-five people attacking one person is just banditry. If there is an expression that suits them, I would define it as banditry.

"Journalists have no life safety. Politicians have no life safety. They can't do this even if there are insults and swear. This is not a mafia order ... The state exists to discipline such bandits but unfortunately, the state is spectating.

"I said, 'I ask the MHP: If you are doing right, why is this country in this situation? Who has put the country in this situation? Why are our children killing one another? Who is responsible for this?' Right? I said, 'We need to draw a lesson.'

"I'm not angry at those who attacked me. I never fight over consequences. These kids are a consequence. The real problem is the elementary school level politicians in older ages who think calling everyone a traitor and excluding everyone is politics." (EKN/VK)