Statement from CHP's Bulut on Ogün Samast: 'Journalist killers are free...'

CHP Deputy Chairman Responsible for Media and Public Relations and Adana MP Burhanettin Bulut reacted to the release of Ogün Samast, the murderer of Agos Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink. 

In a written statement, CHP's Bulut noted the following:

“During the AKP governments, attacks on journalists and the profession have increased, and press freedom has suffered deep wounds due to laws passed by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Using the Censorship Law as an excuse, journalists who are simply doing their jobs are put behind bars; every piece of news that the Palace does not want society to see is censored, and courts immediately impose publication bans. Media workers, who live in fear of detention and arrest for every story they write, are forced into self-censorship through pressure and intimidation. In this way, the public's right to receive information is obstructed.

While Ogün Samast, the murderer of Agos Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink, is released for 'good behavior,' names such as Barış Pehlivan, Can Atalay, Tayfun Kahraman, Osman Kavala, Selçuk Kozağaçlı, and Çiğdem Mater are being held behind bars unlawfully. No justice system and no conscience can accept that while journalist killers are free, journalists punished only for writing news and elected members of parliament are behind bars. This decision is a clear indication that there is no press freedom or rule of law."