The offices of Yeni Şafak and Yeni Akit newspapers were attacked by masked individuals on the morning of 11 February 2016.
This statement was originally published on bianet.org on 11 February 2016.
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The International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC) have denounced an attack carried out with arms and molotov cocktails on [the offices of] Yeni Şafak and Yeni Akit newspapers.
IPI: Outcome of hostile climate
In its statement, IPI has emphasized that the attack is an outcome of the “hostile climate” generated by government’s speeches targeting critical media, and the attack against Hürriyet daily and journalist Ahmet Hakan going unpunished.
The statement – signed by IPI Director of Advocacy and Communications, Steven M. Ellis – said, “Authorities must ensure that anyone who attacks a journalist – be they private individuals, elements of organised crime or even representatives of the state, such as members of the police or security forces – be held accountable for their actions.”
TGC: Democracy is regime of tolerance
TGC has demanded the perpetrators to be found as soon as possible in its statement saying, “Democracy is [a] regime of tolerating different opinions. It is not a regime of uniform human, uniform journalist, and uniform news”.
Bihr: Hatred speech must be abandoned
RSF Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, Johann Bihr stated, “This use of violence is yet further evidence of the dangerous level of polarization in Turkish society. We urge the government, political class and news media of all political tendencies to renounce aggressive rhetoric and the language of hate once and for all.”
What happened?
In the early morning hours, an attack with molotov cocktails and gun shots was carried out on Yeni Akit and Yeni Şafak newspapers’ office buildings.
The attack was carried out on the building of Yeni Şafak daily, located in Bayrampaşa at around 5 a.m by unidentified 3-4 persons with masks and with molotov cocktails and guns. It was reported that the assailants had thrown a molotov cocktail at the entrance door and opened fire on the windows with long-barrelled weapons. The fire at the door was later extinguished by security staff.
At around 5:30 a.m., another attack was carried out against Akit Media Group’s building in Küçükçekmece, where Yeni Akit daily is located. It was reported that molotov cocktails were thrown at the parking area, and a pick-up truck parked in front of the building and that fire was opened on the building with long-barrelled weapons.
