Journalist Attacked while Covering Prime Minister's Visit

Journalist Ahmet Yukuş form the nation-wide Habertürk newspaper claims to have been beaten by the bodyguards of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Diyarbakır on 1 June. Yukuş was injured at his knee and his elbow. According to a medical report, he will not be able to work for three days. The Prime Minister paid a visit to the Kurdish-majority city in south-eastern Turkey as part of his pre-election campaign.

In an interview with bianet, journalist Yukuş recalled the incident as follows:

"On the way to the airport I was just in front of the election office of Emine Ayna, candidate of the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block. The convoy of the Prime Minister drove by quickly. I was running to take pictures. Suddenly, I was attacked from the back. First of all, somebody held my shoulder, then they punched me. I was flung on the ground and my head hit the pavement. I suffered injuries at my knee and my elbow; my trousers are torn".

Yukuş put forward that the assailants were bodyguards of the Prime Minister. He went to the Diyarbakır Training and Research Hospital subsequently where he obtained a three-day sick certificate.

The report confirms injuries at Yukuş's knee and elbow "as the results of beating". Additionally, the report mentioned that the attack created a condition of "anxiety".

31-year-old Yukuş said, "Everything happened very quickly. I do not understand why they behaved that rigorously and what the aim of the attack actually was". Yukuş does not consider taking legal steps.

In a written statement, the Diyarbakır Journalists Association (DGC) criticized the incident. "DGC Board Member and Habertürk newspaper reporter Yukuş went to the airport to cover the visit of Prime Minister Erdoğan. There, he was beaten by police officers who were appointed for security. The people who are responsible for this incident have to be found". (AS/VK)