Media Organisations Demand Investigation into Death of Turkish Journalist

Domestic and international media organisations on Wednesday condemned the killing of independent Turkish journalist Hakan Tosun and called on the authorities to conduct a swift and transparent investigation. “The brutal killing of journalist Hakan Tosun in Istanbul is deeply disturbing. This murder requires more than condolences; the truth must be uncovered and those responsible must be held accountable,” Gurkan Ozturan, Media Freedom Monitoring Officer at the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, told BIRN. The journalist and environmental activist, known for his reporting on ecological destruction and local corruption, died on Wednesday from his injuries, a few days after he was assaulted in Istanbul. Tosun was attacked on October 10 while returning to his home in the Mehmet Akif district of Esenyurt, in Istanbul. He was found severely injured and taken to hospital. Three days later, he was declared brain dead. He died the same day from his injuries. According to Tosun’s lawyers, authorities have arrested two suspects. Tosun was actively reporting on environmental topics, revealing the environmental damage done by private companies and questioning their ties with the authorities, and on corruption cases. “Journalism is not a crime, telling the truth to those in power is a public service! Hakan’s murder must not be allowed to fade into the silence of impunity,” Ozturan said. The International Press Institute, IPI, also demanded a thorough investigation. “IPI is deeply concerned that the attack may be linked to Tosun’s journalism, particularly his reporting on environmental issues and local corruption. We urge authorities to thoroughly investigate all possible motives, including his journalistic work,” IPI said in a written statement. The International and European Federations of Journalists joined their Turkish affiliates – the Journalists’ Union of Turkey, TGS, the Turkish Journalists’ Association, TGC, and Disk Basin-is – to urge the authorities to investigate whether the assault was connected to Tosun’s work as a documentary filmmaker. “The Federations extend their condolences to Hakan’s family and loved ones, and call for a swift and independent investigation to shed light on the motives behind the attack and the circumstances surrounding his death,” their joint statement said on October 15. The exact details of the suspects’ alleged roles in the attack remain unclear. No details have been made public yet. The Istanbul prosecutor’s office is reportedly investigating the case, gathering witness statements and reviewing security camera footage to determine the circumstances of the assault.