Turkey saw Five journalists arrested during 1st week of 2021

In the first 15 days of 2021, five journalists critical of the government were attacked in front of their homes in Turkey's capital. Among these are journalists, opposition politicians, activists and human rights defenders. 

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), an ally of the government, has been accused of inciting the attacks that took place on January 14 and 15. While the party has denied the allegations, its deputy head said they have "a lot of madmen" who won't wait for orders.

"If politicians can't speak, doing their jobs while fearing for their lives, if the journalists are scared to write when doing their jobs, Turkey will enter a much darker period," Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Parliamentary Group Deputy Chair Saruhan Oluç said. Those who do, tolerate and incite these are the number one enemies of democracy and freedoms." he added.

In a tweet, the Journalists' Union of Turkey (TGS) strongly condemned the attacks and denounced the government's absence of reaction: "Five journalists and media workers have been attacked in 15 days. There are no government convictions and no sanctions by the judiciary. This is intended to encourage the attackers."

The five journalists are:

İzzet Tınmaz, Voice of Anatolia (Anadolu'nun Sesi) news coordinator, was beaten with sticks in Aksaray by two unidentified people who had stopped his car. His wrist and waist were severely injured;

Murat Uçkaç and Kıymet Sarıyıldız were assaulted in front of the courthouse in Aydın while covering a trial.

Afşin Hatipoğlu, a TV host for KRT TV and a former head of the Grey Wolves, a nationalist group, during the night of 14 January;

The next day, Yeniçağ newspaper writer and Ankara representative Orhan Uğuroğlu was beaten with sticks by four assailants in front of his residence. The men attempted to run him over with their car, but the journalist escaped with a light arm injury.