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We have talked to Aydın Engin who has temporarily worked as Editor in Chief in Cumhuriyet daily upon Can Dündar taking annual leave for two months about the process Can Dündar has been going through.
Aydın Engin has expressed that the authorities from security department have noted that there was a great security risk threatening Can Dündar yet they did not share information regarding the source of the threats for security reasons and has added;
“They said that the risk was very high”
They have said, “Please don’t push it and don’t argue. We cannot share contact information with you. The risk is very high”.
“Can was really exhausted. He was very tense and tired physically and mentally. He has traveled abroad together with his family till the end of August.
“We had a similar case with Uğur Mumcu”
We have had similar but less intense experiences with Uğur Mumcu earlier. Ankara Security Directorate had expressed that they had been receiving indications of danger and warned him to be careful.
“I myself have been living with guards for 7 years”
“I myself have been living with guards for seven years. If I am a target, I should also know who is threatening me. But I assume that they have principles and say ‘sorry; we can’t give information’. I also have gone through that. Can is also.
“They assign protection police but this doesn’t solve the problem. Once, one of my security police officers had even said, “I am only disincentive at the most. If someone decides to murder you, then we will die together”. (EKN/DG)