Barış Atay, an MP from the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP), was attacked early on 31 August in Kadıköy after Interior Minister, Süleyman Soylu, reportedly passed comments against him.

Soylu reportedly said: “Watch out, don’t get caught”. Soon after, Atay was attacked.

After he was discharged from Haydarpaşa Numune Hospital, Atay told reporters that he had not been seriously injured but that he would hold a press meeting regarding the issue on Tuesday.

After his attack, TİP released this statement: “Targeted by Süleyman Soylu during the day, our Vice Chair Barış Atay was subjected to attack by an ‘unidentified’ group. The health condition of Barış Atay is good. We thank you for wishes of solidarity”.

Atay had earlier reacted against the release of specialized sergeant, Musa Orhan, who faced charges of raping a young woman in Batman. Musa Orhan had been released by a Turkish court one week after his arrest. This had led to public outrage.

Interior Minister Soylu had subsequently threatened and targeted TİP MP Barış Atay.