Germany confirms the existence of ‘execution lists’

* Photo: Federal Government of Germany. Photo: AA (Archive)

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The federal government of Germany has, for the first time, commented on the existence of the so-called death lists including the names of the journalists from Turkey currently living in the country.

Interior Minister Helmut Teichman has answered the Parliamentary question of Helin Evrim Sommer, a member of the federal parliament, and said that "there are currently references to various lists of the people who are allegedly criticizing the Turkish government."

As reported by the Tagesspiegel, the federal government does not currently have a particular list, but the inquiries are still ongoing.

There have recently been several news articles and statements about the existence of a 55-people execution list targeting people from Turkey, especially the exiled journalists currently living in Germany.

Die BuReg bestätigt auf meine Anfrage erstmals die Existenz von Todeslisten mit #Erdogan-Kritikern in????????!Merkel muss den türkischen Botschafter einbestellen! Solche Hinrichtungslisten gefährden auch die innere Sicherheit Deutschlands.#Türkei
Mein Statement:https://t.co/wT2QUrkZB2

— Helin Evrim Sommer (@HESommer) July 26, 2021

DJV called for journalists' protection

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

Shortly after Überall called for protection of exiled journalists from Turkey, DJV Spokesperson Hendrik Zörner answered the questions of bianet.

"We found a report about the execution list in a German digital magazine," Spokesperson Zörner said, underlining that "it was the only report about the issue, but they decided to make their statement public because of the danger for the Turkish journalists in Germany."

Sharing information about the situation right now and what action the police in Germany have taken so far, Zörner said, "We know that the police warned some of the journalists from the list. But we do not know if our Turkish colleagues in Germany now are protected by the police. We hope it and we demand it, but the police do not give any statements on that topic."

Noting that "the journalists are in fear of their lives," DJV Spokesperson Zörner said, "We demand that the Turkish authorities stop their fight against press freedom and critical and independent journalists."

Erk Acarer was attacked, sent a threatening note

Especially the recent period has been marked by attacks and threats against journalists, politicians and activists from Turkey living in Germany.

Journalist Erk Acarer has recently announced that a threatening message was left in the yard of his home in Berlin, Germany.

On July 8, journalist Erk Acarer was assaulted by a group of people in front of his home. Announcing the attack on Twitter, he said he didn't have life-threatening injuries and was heading to the hospital.

Başlangıç told his life was in danger

Celal Başlangıç, the editor-in-chief of Artı TV and Artı Gerçek website, was notified by Germany's police that his life was in danger.

Two officers who visited Başlangıç at his home in Cologne also confirmed the existence of an "assassination list" consisting of the dissidents of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan living abroad, Başlangıç said.

At the weekend, it was reported that Kurdish musician Ferhat Tunç was on the "death list." He has been informed by the Darmstadt police, according to Tunç. (PT/SD)