Turkish journalist attacked after criticizing nationalist figure
Turkish journalist Levent Gultekin was attacked by two dozen assailants outside his workplace Monday evening in the latest act of violence against critics of Turkey’s nationalist party.
ISTANBUL — Levent Gultekin, a columnist and host for Turkey’s Halk TV channel, was assaulted outside his workplace in Istanbul Monday evening by about 25 assailants. Surveillance camera footage shared by Halk TV shows Gultekin approaching the channel’s office, where he is surrounded by a group of men who attack him and kick him repeatedly after he falls to the ground.
Gultekin shared news of the incident shortly afterward on Twitter, saying he was “fine” before disclosing he suffered several broken fingers while protecting his head and face with his hands. The journalist shared details of the assault Monday on his nightly program, in which he called the assailants “a group of cowards.”
“These 25 people are probably proud of themselves,” Gultekin said Monday. “I would be ashamed if I were them. Attacking one person as a group of 25 people is thuggery.”
He added, “The difference between the mafia and the state is the law. Those who try to make it seem like they're the owners of the state try to implement the law of gangs. Journalists and politicians' lives are not safe.”
