Northern Cyprus: CFWIJ Condemns Threats Against Journalist Pinar Barut
Location: Northern Cyprus, Nicosia
Date: June 11, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Pınar Barut, editor-in-chief of Özgür Kıbrıs Newspaper, was threatened by the mafia boss Halil Falyalı, after the news published about drug smuggling. The newspaper also deliberately endured many cyber attacks. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the vicious death threats against journalists. We demand the Cypriot authorities to ensure the journalist’s safety.
Özgür Gazete editor-in-chief Pınar Barut was targeted and threatened recently after reporting on the drug smuggling allegations against Turkish Cypriot businessperson Halil Falyalı. The claims alleged by organized crime leader Sedat Peker. Pınar said she received threatening calls for Halil Falyalı following her news to be removed.
In Turkey, the videos published by mafia boss Sedat Peker on YouTube, have received great reflection. The journalist, who brought the allegations to the newspaper following Peker’s claim about the drug smuggling links to Halil Falyalı, known as a businessman in Northern Cyprus, reported to the International Press Institute (IPI) that she and her family were threatened. The journalist said the news website was also cyberattacked.
The journalist said that she received death threats including her family with calls through an acquaintance of the business person. After the threats, Halil Falyalı called her and stated that he was uncomfortable with the article. She added that, although Falyalı could use the right to answer the allegations, the businessman rejected the offer and that Özgür Gazete was cyber-attacked on 27 May.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the death threats deliberately aiming to intimidate journalist Pınar Barut and Özgür Gazete. Journalists are responsible for reporting the developments in the country and informing the public. Pınar Barut carried out her journalistic activities by taking the allegations to the news outlet. As the coalition, we are deeply concerned about her and her family’s safety. We demand Cypriot authorities to ensure the journalist and her family’s safety. The officials must consider such attacks can cause severe consequences.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely monitors the incidents in Turkey with great concern. Since March 8, Women's Day, police violence against women journalists increasingly continues in the country. As the coalition, we urge the Turkish state to provide a free environment for journalists. Following the news is our most fundamental democratic right to report. We demand the immediate release of our detained colleagues. Journalism is not a crime. Journalism cannot be prevented.
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