Journalist Sinan Aygül, president of the Bitlis Journalists’ Association, was subjected to a violent attack in Tatvan, Bitlis, yesterday, by police officer Engin Kaplan and another bodyguard, Yücel Baysali, who were accompanying Tatvan Mayor Emin Geylani. The attack on Aygül, who has faced multiple detentions due to his news reporting on corruption, has sparked outrage and condemnation from various quarters.
The incident unfolded as Aygül was walking on the pavement when an individual sprinted towards him and started attacking. Disturbing video footage captured the attack, showing Aygül being repeatedly punched while a person nearby attempted to intervene. Another individual, reportedly armed and believed to be a police officer, aggressively prevented the intervention, allowing the assault to continue.
In the aftermath of the incident, Tatvan Mayor Emin Geylani announced the dismissal of bodyguard Yücel Baysali and expressed his concern for Aygül’s well-being in a personal call. The Bitlis Governorate swiftly responded to the incident, initiating both judicial and administrative investigations. Police officer E.K., who was deemed negligent in preventing the attack and acted in a manner contrary to the ethics of the police profession, has been suspended from duty pending the investigation.
Fifteen bar associations, including those of Muş, Diyarbakır, Van, and Urfa, have unequivocally condemned the assault on Aygül. In a joint statement, the bar associations described the attack as “unacceptable” and emphasised that it infringed upon the public’s fundamental right to information and freedom of the press.
This incident involving journalist Sinan Aygül is not an isolated event. It reflects a worrying trend within Turkey’s media landscape, where journalists and press freedom are under increasing pressure. Aygül, who has been previously targeted, had recently faced legal repercussions under Turkey’s disinformation law, resulting in a 10-month prison sentence. The new law has drawn international criticism and is viewed by opposition groups as a form of censorship, stifling independent reporting.
