Police Attacks Three Journalists in Kocaeli

While three journalists have been attacked in the northwestern province of Kocaeli as they covered an environmental meeting, a local branch of journalists union condemned the attack and urged authorities to take action. 

Police targeted Kocaeli newspaper reporter Erhan Altıparmak, Özgür Kocaeli newspaper reporter Ayşegük Kalaycı and Demokrat Kocaeli newspaper report Suriye Çatak as they were covering an environmental impact report announcement. 

It was claimed that policemen attempted to break the fingers of Erhan Altıparmak as they intervened photojournalists to take pictures. 

TGS: Responsible policemen must stand trial 

Condemning the attacks, Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) Kocaeli Chamber said the following: “Putting barriers against our colleagues is synonym with putting barriers against the public right to information. 

They also reminded the Constitution Article 28 on press freedom.

TGS also urged authorities to put the responsible on trial immediately. 

Released on October 22, bianet’s Media Monitorin Report cited that at least 21 journalists were attacked in the period of July-August-September 2014. (EÖ/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.