Germany’s Foreign Ministry condemns violence against journalists from Turkey

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Amid recent incidents of violence, attacks and threats targeting the journalists from Turkey currently living in Germany, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country has made a statement about the issue.

Speaking to Deutsche Welle (DW), the officials from Germany's Foreign Ministry have reportedly said, "The Federal Government supports freedom of press and expression all across the world and condemn all types of incidents of violence against journalists."

"It must be ensured that anyone living in Germany - regardless of the motives - is not subjected to violence," the Foreign Ministry has stated, adding that in the past, it gave support "several times and indirectly, with regards to the rights of the journalists in Turkey."

According to the Foreign Ministry of Germany, "the shortcomings of Turkey in terms of freedom of press and expression were constantly addressed during the bilateral talks with Turkey, in the context of the European Union (EU) and on multilateral platforms."

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."

Erk Acarer was attacked, sent a threatening note

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. (KÖ/SD)