RSF Urges Permanent Protection for Journalist Ayşemden Akın Following Death Threats

In a statement, RSF said:

“There are numerous warning signs indicating serious threats to the physical safety of Turkish Cypriot journalist Ayşemden Akın. RSF calls on the police in Northern Cyprus to ensure her protection and to work with Turkish authorities to identify those responsible for the death threats targeting the reporter.”

On April 30, Akın received a 27-minute death threat phone call from a number originating in Turkey. During the call, she was warned she would be killed if she continued publishing reports on corruption involving Turkish officials and authorities in the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” recognized only by Ankara. One day after the threat, Akın’s source, Cemil Önal, was shot dead in the Netherlands, where he lived in exile and where Turkish authorities had requested his extradition.

Pavol Szalai, RSF’s Head of the EU-Balkans Desk, commented:

“The killing of a source and death threats against journalist Ayşemden Akın represent multiple, extremely serious warning signs. It is unacceptable for authorities to remain silent or inactive in the face of such dangerous risks. I call on the Northern Cyprus police to provide permanent and effective protection for our colleague Ayşemden Akın. Additionally, those responsible for the threats must be identified and brought to justice in cooperation with Turkish authorities.”