Fuat Bulut, who works as journalist in Diyarbakır in Türkiye / Turkey, was assaulted in the evening on 21 October 2023 by two individuals during a social gathering in front of a pastry shop. Bulut sustained injuries but is not in a life-threatening condition after receiving medical treatment at Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital in Diyarbakır.
Allegedly the incident started with a lighthearted comment made by Bulut during one gathering. Later a person threatened and insulted Bulut over the phone regarding this comment. On the same night, as Bulut was leaving a pastry shop with friends, he was attacked. His ear was injured.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) strongly condemns this attack. This incident underscores the critical importance of safeguarding freedom of expression and the safety of journalists in Türkiye / Turkey. We call for a thorough investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable, emphasizing that such acts of violence against journalists must not go unpunished. Journalists must be allowed to carry out their vital work without fear of assault or intimidation, as they play a fundamental role in upholding democratic values and ensuring transparency in society. SEEMO stands in solidarity with Fuat Bulut and all journalists facing threats or violence in the pursuit of their profession.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non-profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.
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