Attack against N. Cyprus journalist condemned

A regional media organization has issued a statement condemning the recent bomb attack against a reporter in Northern Cyprus. The Vienna-based South and East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO) said the attack targeted Mutlu Esendemir, the news editor of the Turkish-Cypriot Kanal T Television and a reporter for the Turkish language daily Kibris. Attack against N. Cyprus journalist condemned The explosive device placed underneath Esendemir's car, parked in front of the Kanal T premises, exploded as he tried to open the car door. The journalist was treated in the hospital for minor injuries. After the attack, that took place on April 5, 2011, Mutlu Esendemir wrote in Kibris that the attack against him was related to articles written during the past ten days regarding city planning problems in Keryneia. Political parties and other organizations condemned the attack. Kemal Darbaz, president of the journalist association Basin Sen, said that attacks against journalists have become more frequent. SEEMO is also concerned with the latest threats against Cenk Mutluyakah, editor of Turkish-Cypriot critical daily Yeniduzen. The organization reported in March that another Turkish-Cypriot journalist, Sener Levent, editor of the newspaper Afirka, received a death threat. On February 25, 2011, unknown attackers opened gun fire at Afrika's office door. One bullet hit the wall and the other lodged in the door. The attackers left a note warning that next time the shots would target the journalist, rather than just his office door. SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic called on the authorities to find the perpetrators of both attacks. "Press freedom has to be guaranteed in a democratic society and different opinions respected," he said.

Attack against N. Cyprus journalist condemned

The explosive device placed underneath Esendemir's car, parked in front of the Kanal T premises, exploded as he tried to open the car door. The journalist was treated in the hospital for minor injuries.

After the attack, that took place on April 5, 2011, Mutlu Esendemir wrote in Kibris that the attack against him was related to articles written during the past ten days regarding city planning problems in Keryneia.

Political parties and other organizations condemned the attack. Kemal Darbaz, president of the journalist association Basin Sen, said that attacks against journalists have become more frequent.

SEEMO is also concerned with the latest threats against Cenk Mutluyakah, editor of Turkish-Cypriot critical daily Yeniduzen.

The organization reported in March that another Turkish-Cypriot journalist, Sener Levent, editor of the newspaper Afirka, received a death threat. On February 25, 2011, unknown attackers opened gun fire at Afrika's office door. One bullet hit the wall and the other lodged in the door. The attackers left a note warning that next time the shots would target the journalist, rather than just his office door.

SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujović called on the authorities to find the perpetrators of both attacks. "Press freedom has to be guaranteed in a democratic society and different opinions respected," he said.