RSF Condemns Attack on Journalist

The International Reporters Without Borders (RSF) organisation has denounced the attack of journalist Sinan Tekpetek.

Tekpetek of the "Özgür Hayat" (Free Life) newspaper and editor of the "yüzde 52 Öfke" (52 percent Anger) magazine, had given a press briefing at the headquarters of the Human Rights Association (IHD) in Istanbul on 28 July.

Insults, threats and violence

He said that he had been stopped by the police in Taksim, Istanbul, on the evening of 26 July. He was taken away in a police car, driven to a desolate place, where he was subjected to insults, death threats and violence. He was finally driven to a place near Karaköy (central Istanbul) and thrown out of the car.

According to the doctor's report, Tekpetek has two broken ribs and bruising on several places on his body. He was declared unfit to work for 20 days.

The journalist claimed that he did not know the reason for the attack. It may be due to the activities of the magazine or because of a court case related to his witnessing a case of police violence in 2005.

Call for investigation

In a briefing in Paris today (2 July), the RSF said:

"The violence described by Tekpetek is appalling, and those responsible must be identified, arrested and punished."

"It remains to be established whether his kidnapping and beating were linked to his work as a journalist or his role as a witness in an earlier case of police violence."

Reporters Without Borders added: "It is vital that the authorities should intervene in this case. However you look it, this assault by those whose job is to protect citizens is unacceptable." (EÖ/AG)