‘There is an execution list targeting opposition journalists from Turkey’

* Frank Überall. Photo: DJV website

Click to read the article in Turkish

German Federation of Journalists (DJV) Chair Frank Überall has stated that according to police sources, there is an "execution list" targeting 55 dissidents from Turkey, including opposition journalists.

As reported by Deutsche Welle (DW) Türkçe, addressing Germany's Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, Überall has urged him to summon Turkey's Ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the issue.

Überall has reportedly called on the Minister to "make it unmistakably clear to the ambassador that these were unacceptable crimes."

Noting that "there are a series of threats and attacks against exiled journalists from Turkey living in Germany", Überall has demanded that Maas make it clear that the line has been crossed at this point and that the threats and violence targeting the journalists who have taken refuge in Germany by fleeing from the oppressive regime in Turkey are unacceptable."

Police take two people under protection

Überall has also announced that the police in Germany have taken action about the two people on the list. Welcoming the protective measures of the police for the related people, the DJV Chair has underlined that it is not enough. Referring to the recent knife attack and a threatening message targeting journalist Erk Acarer in Berlin, Überall has briefly said:

"The journalists who approach the government critically cannot practice the profession of journalism in Turkey any longer, which is bad enough. The fact that they are forced to live in fear in Germany, where they have taken refuge, is not acceptable in any way whatsoever."

CLICK - Attack, threat against journalist Acarer: Germany extends the investigation

CLICK - Germany's police warn journalist Celal Başlangıç of risk of assassination

(PT/SD)