Journalist Özgen Acar has passed away

Özgen Acar, former Editor-in-Chief and columnist for the Cumhuriyet newspaper, has passed away.

Acar, 86, had spent years fighting against the smuggling of historical artifacts. Acar was instrumental in the return of many artifacts to Turkey, ranging from the Weary Herakles statue to the Lydian Hoard.

It was learned that Acar will be laid to rest today at the Cebeci Asri Cemetery.

WHO IS ÖZGEN ACAR?

Özgen Acar was born on September 29, 1938, in the Bor district of Niğde, where his father, Hilmi Acar, was serving as the PTT Director. His mother, Naciye Hanım, was a housewife.

After completing his primary and secondary education at Atatürk High School in İzmir, he graduated from the Faculty of Political Sciences at Ankara University, Department of Finance and Economics.

He began his journalism career on November 13, 1960, at Cumhuriyet. He worked as a reporter covering parliament, the prime ministry, the economy, and foreign policy.

In 1980, he served as the Greece Representative for the Milliyet newspaper, as well as the News Director of its Ankara Bureau and its New York Representative.

Later, while working as a New York correspondent for Cumhuriyet, Özgen Acar prepared investigative journalism dossiers that went down in press history for the repatriation of historical and cultural artifacts smuggled out of Turkey, most notably the 'Lydian Hoard'. He subsequently served as Editor-in-Chief of Cumhuriyet and worked as a columnist.

Özgen Acar received the Abdi İpekçi Peace and Friendship Award, the Sedat Simavi Journalism Award, and the METU Outstanding Service Award. Acar was married and had a son named Deniz.

News Source: 12punto