Threat against journalist who exposed the 'Falyalı scandal' in Cyprus: 'Ready to do what is necessary'

Akın announced that she had been threatened to end her article series titled "Halil Falyalı is Alive" and that she had filed a complaint with the police, providing them with a voice recording.

In a statement on her personal social media account, Ayşemden Akın noted that she was called by a number from Turkey yesterday evening, and that the woman on the phone claimed she wanted to "protect" her, stating that otherwise, she would be killed. 

According to the person making the threat, three people had been sent to the island 3-4 days ago to monitor Akın and "do what is necessary."

Stating that she did not take the threat lightly, Akın noted that the conversation lasted 27 minutes and that she had submitted the voice recording to the police and filed a complaint. 

Akın reported that the police stated they would do what is necessary and would inform her. Emphasizing that she would not take a step back against this threat aimed at stopping the article series, Akın said, "I declare to the public that I will not take a step back in the face of these threats targeting press freedom and the public's right to learn the truth." Journalist Akın had been publishing reports exposing state-mafia relations for some time through an article series titled "Halil Falyalı is Alive," which included interviews with Cemil Önal, who is based in the Netherlands and is said to have been Halil Falyalı's finance manager. 

Attention to the Public!

Yesterday evening, I was called by a number using a Turkish line. The woman on the phone, saying she wanted to "protect" me, stated that I should immediately end the 'Halil Falyalı is Alive' article series, otherwise I would be killed. According to her claim, for 3-4 days, they have been on the island to…

— Ayşemden Akın (@Aysemden) April 30, 2025