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
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- EFJ Condemns Car Bomb Attack on Leading Turkish Cypriot Journalist