Hurrayet and CNN Turkey’s US representative Yunus Paksoy were attacked by members of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) while on CNN Turkey live. Support poured in for Hurrayet while Paksoy was filing the complaint after being attacked by FETO members, allegedly Ahmet Can, the fugitive known as FETO’s “imam for justice.”
Harassment at first sight
Paksoy, who was here to investigate allegations that FETO leader Fethullah Gülen had been kidnapped from his home in Pennsylvania, US, was harassed by FETO members as soon as he arrived in the area. As Paksoy parked his car about 200 meters from his home and was preparing to broadcast, three FETO members came and harassed him, asking him who he was and where he was. One of the FETO members tried to take photos of Paksoy, saying he was responsible for the security of the house. When the Hürriyet representative tried to take photos of the people, the FETO members hid their faces and quickly ran away.
Vehicle without plate Plate
Shortly after, an off-road vehicle without license plates approached Paksoy from inside the house. Paksoy continued walking towards the FETO farm without arguing with the assailant, who asked in German from inside the car, “Who are you?” The assailant returned shortly after, turned towards Paksoy and drove the car into Hürriyet. Paksoy told the assailant, “Are you stupid?” While he was reacting, a FETO member got out of the car and attacked Paksoy. These moments were broadcast live on CNN Turkey, where the assailant hit Paksoy’s mobile phone and glasses, which were connected to the live broadcast, tore his shirt and hit him in the back, before getting in his car and leaving the scene.
An investigation has been launched
The Ankara Chief Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the attack on CNN Turk, during a live broadcast of FETO members and Hürriyet US Congressman Yunus Paksoy.
Support has been raining down
Following Pak Soy’s report, a provincial police team and detectives arrived at the scene 25 minutes later. After receiving the information and a video of the attack, the police officers left the scene saying they would contact him, but Pak Soy, who suffered bruises on his hands and neck, filed a complaint against the attackers.
Following the attack, Communications Director General Fahrettin Altun, Foreign Minister Adviser Hakan Fidan Lütfulla Göktaş, Turkish Consul General in New York Reyhan Özgür, and Demirören Media TV Group President Murat Yancı called Paksoy to convey messages of support and a speedy recovery. The Foreign Ministry further issued a written statement saying, “US authorities are taking the necessary steps to hold accountable those who carried out and instigated the attack.”
CHP Deputy Chairman for Public Relations and Media Burhanettin Bulut, Nationalist Movement Party Deputy Chairman Izzet Urvi Yonter and Ciyi Party Chairman Musavat Dervisoğlu also condemned the attack on Paksoy and shared messages of support.
Attacking the Claims of “Judicial Imam”
It was alleged that the attack on Hurriyet representative Yunus Paksoy was brought about by FETO’s “ghost lawyer” Ahmet Can, the “imam in charge of justice” of FETO, who was called the “shadow justice minister” in Turkey. Turkiye requested the US to extradite him, but Washington responded negatively to the request.
