Police Protection to Seven Writers

Police department declares that personal protection is assigned to seven writers and journalists who receive threats. The enforcement comes following Turkish-Armenian writer Dinks assassination last Friday. Police was criticized for lack of protection.

Erol Önderoğlu

Police department assigned personal protection for seven journalists that are "threatened by terrorist organizations".

The declaration came following Turkish-Armenian writer Hrant Dink's assassination last Friday.

PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered that official police protection should be secured to such individuals independent of their demand for it.

Police forces were criticized for lack of protection for Mr. Dink, who became a target for nationalists because of his words on the Armenian genocide and the prosecution that came after.

Police protection is assigned to Etyen Mahcupian, the new editor-in-chief of Dink's Agos newspaper; Nobel laureate novelist Orhan Pamuk, who was also targeted for his words on the Armenian genocide claims; daily Hurriyet columnist Ahmet Hakan, novelist Elif Şafak, daily Radikal's editor-in-chief İsmet Berkan, daily Sabah columnist Soli Ozel and Yeni Safak commentator Fehmi Koru.

Despite the attempt, there're many more writers and journalists who're threatened and soen't figure on the list.

Sabri Ejder Ozic, who was convicted of the article 301 of the Penal Code and Necati Abay, who received death threats following his comments on Hrant Dink's assassination are two examples. (EÖ/EÜ)

Origin

BÄ°A News Center

Erol Önderoğlu

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İstanbul Üniversitesi Fransız Filolojisi Bölümü'nden mezun. 1996'da muhabiri olduğu uluslararası Sınır Tanımayan Gazeteciler (RSF) örgütünün Türkiye temsilcisi olarak çalışıyor. 1999'dan beri İPS İletişim Vakfı'nın projesi olan bianet sitesinde, Hukuki Destek Masası koordinatörü, ifade özgürlüğü editörü ve yayın yönetmeni olarak çalıştı. 4.800'den fazla imzalı haber ve makalesi bulunuyor. Bizim Gazete ve Güncel Hukuk dergisi için haber ve makaleler yazdı. Halen bianet'te Medya Gözlem Raporları'nı hazırlıyor.