Journalist Öztürk Assaulted in Zonguldak

Mehmet Öztürk, owner of the Halk Postası newspaper, was assaulted by an unidentified person in the Karadeniz Ereğli district of Zonguldak (Black Sea coast). Öztürk was attacked right in front of his office.

As reported by the İhlas News Agency (İHA), Öztürk, a retired municipality employee, was accompanied by a police team when he went to the police station to complain. He said that he did not know the reason for the attack and we was not able to identify the attackers.

The newspaper owner stated that there was neither tension nor did he have any personal enmity against anybody. Öztürk expressed his trust in the police that the issue would be clarified as soon as possible.

President of Journalists Association demands immediate action

The President of the Ereğli Journalists Associaiton, Şenol Azman, supported Öztürk at the police station. Azman emphasized that assaults against journalists were shameful, regardless of the reason for the attack.

Azman argued, "The people who try to silence journalists with violence will not succeed. We condemn this inhumane attack. We expect the attacker to be arrested and brought to court as soon as possible". While the reason for the attack is still not clear, an investigation has been launched. (EÖ/VK)