Armed Attack Against Journalist in Adana

* Photograph: Mutlu Güney / Anadolu Agency

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Two people launched an armed attack against Hakan Denizli, the Grant Holder of the Adana-based daily newspaper Egemen, while he was about to leave his house for his office in the morning today (May 24).

Leaving his house in Evren Sites in the Central Seyhan district in Adana, an unidentified person opened fire on journalist Denizli. While the bullet hit Denizli in his foot, the assaulters escaped from the scene of incident.

Being taken to the Adana Dr. Aşkın Tüfekçi State Hospital after the incident, Denizli's state of health has been reported to be good.

The assaulted journalist stated that he did not know the attackers, adding that he was receiving threatening phone calls for the last few days. Hakan Denizli was attacked for several times before.

RSF: We condemn it in the strongest possible terms

While an investigation has been launched into the incident, which is speculated to be related with a news, the Adana-based Çukurova Journalists' Association (ÇGC) condemned the attack in a written statement.

RSF temsilcisi Erol Önderoğlu: Adana Egemen Gazetesi kurucusu #HakanDenizli evinden çıkarken silahlı saldırıya uğradı; yaralandı. İki haftalık süreçte yaşanan diğer 3 şiddet olayı gibi bu son saldırıyı da en sert şekilde kınıyoruz. Geçmiş olsun Denizli! pic.twitter.com/AkSg5Oh9bG

— RSF Türkçe (@RSF_tr) 24 Mayıs 2019

Stating that he condemns the attack in the strongest possible terms, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Representative to Turkey Erol Önderoğlu has referred to the increasing incidents of violence targeting journalist in the last two weeks. He has extended his get well soon wishes to Denizli.

Four attacks in last two weeks

Over the last two weeks, four journalists, three of whom work for local media organizations, have been physically attacked. While local journalists İdris Özyol and Ergin Çevik were assaulted in Antalya, columnist for the daily Yeniçağ Yavuz Selim Demirağ was attacked and wounded in Ankara. All of the perpetrators escaped from the scenes of incident after the attacks.

In the last five months, eight journalists have been physically attacked; seven of these eight journalists are local journalists. (HA/SD)