EFJ Condemns Car Bomb Attack on Leading Turkish Cypriot Journalist

Today the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the European group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), firmly condemned the assassination attempt against Mutlu Esendemir, Editor-in-chief of Kanal T, who was left  injured by an explosion on his car .

"This is a frightening attack against freedom of the press" said EFJ President Arne König. "We support Esendemir in his recovery and we expect that people who perpetrated this crime will be brought to justice".

Esendemir was injured around 1.00 am on 12 May when an explosive device attached to his car was triggered.  The police is currently investigating the case.

According to the EFJ affiliate, Basin Sen, this attack is part of a  growing climate of violence in the the northern part of Cyprus. Last week journalists following protests in front of the Prime Minister building were prevented from doing their job and were targeted by unknown people who were plain clothes police.

"The police use of violence, breaking cameras and beating journalists in pursuit of the news, is unacceptable" said Basin Sen in a statement. "The use of force and violence against civilians is counterproductive".

The EFJ calls upon the Turkish Cypriot authorities to pursue the necessary investigations into the attack on Esendemir and to end the escalation of violence and threats against journalists that is increasingly undermining the right of press freedom and freedom of information in the northern part of Cyprus .

For more information, please contact EFJ on + 32 2 235 22 00
The EFJ represents more than 250.000 members in over 30 countries