Journalist Yaman Kaya: The attackers were 2 people

12punto.com.tr - Ercan KÜÇÜK

Attacks on journalists continue unabated. While dealing with processes such as detentions and arrests, journalists are also forced to ensure their own safety. 

Yaman Kaya, editor-in-chief of the Bursa-based news website Başka Gazete, was subjected to an armed attack while heading to his car after work. While Kaya was fortunately unharmed in the attack, the investigation into the incident is ongoing. Kaya explained the attack and its potential causes to 12punto. Emphasizing that he has been writing about zoning irregularities in Bursa for a long time, Kaya stated that the attack might be related to this. Kaya said the following:

“I have been someone who has been writing primarily about urban crimes, specifically zoning irregularities in Bursa, for a long time. I think it is most likely an issue connected to this. The police are already focusing on the construction sector. 

-How is the legal process progressing?

"The police are not sharing much information with us regarding the matter. I only learned that there were 2 people. They had conducted reconnaissance here beforehand. I obtained information that they had been wandering around this area for 3-4 days. They followed my entry and exit times and my vehicle. The building where I work has two entrances. As I understand it, one waited on the right and the other on the left. One waited at one door and the other at the other. But this is not definitive information. It is my estimation. According to a witness statement, they waited for me on foot for 30 minutes. After waiting, they saw my vehicle leaving the parking lot. Upon seeing it, they crossed to the other side to target the driver's side and fired from there. There are security cameras. Let's see what comes out of it. I am very curious myself."

-Have you watched the security camera footage?

"The police showed it to me. But unfortunately, the police department does not share it until the file is transferred to the prosecutor's office."

-What will you do from now on?

"I will continue to write about the same topics and the same corruption in the same way. There is no problem with that. Also, I am an opposition figure in Bursa. I am someone who writes a lot about the local representatives of the ruling party as well. Of course, we are not going to give up on our path. We will continue to write. We want this incident to be clarified as soon as possible. We haven't even found the trigger-man, let alone the instigator."