Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Turkish journalist survives assassination attempt before receiving 5 year sentence for 'revealing state secrets'

The attacker was subdued and quickly detained by police outside the courthouse

Samuel Osborne
Friday 06 May 2016 13:22 EDT
Comments
Can Dundar, editor-in-chief of opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet, escaped the attack unhurt, before being sentenced to five years and 10 months for 'revealing state secrets'
Can Dundar, editor-in-chief of opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet, escaped the attack unhurt, before being sentenced to five years and 10 months for 'revealing state secrets' (EPA/SEDAT SUNA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A gunman shouted "traitor" before firing two shots at a prominent Turkish journalist outside a courthouse in Istanbul, where he is on trial accused of revealing state secrets.

Can Dundar, editor-in-chief of opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet, escaped the attack unhurt, but another journalist was slightly injured in the leg.

Mr Dundar was heading towards a cafe with his wife after speaking to journalists who were covering his trial when the attack occurred.

The attacker was subdued and quickly detained by police outside the courthouse.

Video footage shows plain-clothed police forcing the man to lift his jacket to check he had no other weapons.

He was then ordered to lie face-down on the ground.

A handout picture provided by Cumhuriyet newspaper shows Dilek Dundar (L), wife of Can Dundar, and opposition party CHP lawmaker Muharrem Erkek try to capture Murat Sahin (R) he attempted to attack Can Dundar in front of the Courthouse in Istanbul, Turkey, 6 May, 2016
A handout picture provided by Cumhuriyet newspaper shows Dilek Dundar (L), wife of Can Dundar, and opposition party CHP lawmaker Muharrem Erkek try to capture Murat Sahin (R) he attempted to attack Can Dundar in front of the Courthouse in Istanbul, Turkey, 6 May, 2016 (EPA)

The gunman has been identified as Murat Sahin, 40, by Dogan news agency.

Last year, the Cumhuriyet newspaper published purported images of Turkish trucks carrying ammunition to Syrian militants.

The paper said the images proved Turkey was smuggling arms to rebels - a claim the government rejects.

A handout picture provided by Cumhuriyet newspaper shows a policeman point his gun at Murat Sahin after he attempted to attack Can Dundar in front of the Courthouse in Istanbul, Turkey, 6 May, 2016
A handout picture provided by Cumhuriyet newspaper shows a policeman point his gun at Murat Sahin after he attempted to attack Can Dundar in front of the Courthouse in Istanbul, Turkey, 6 May, 2016 (EPA)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan filed a criminal complaint, and now the preisdent and the national intelligence agency MIT are plaintiffs in the case, which is widely seen as a test for press freedom in Turkey.

Mr Dundar and Cumhuriyet's Ankara representative, Erdem Gul, have now been sentenced to at least five years in prison for revealing state secrets.

They were acquitted of some charges, including trying to topple the government. The court separated charges of links to terrorist organisations to await a verdict in a separate trial.

"I don't know who the attacker is but I know who encouraged him and made me a target," Mr Dundar said, in a comment which appeared to be aimed at the Turkish president and others who have called for the journalists to be punished for the arms smuggling reports.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition party who has supported the journalists, echoed his words.

"Those who turn journalists into targets by using hate speech are responsible for the attack on Can Dundar," he said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in