Objection To Freeing Of Turkish Writer's 'Attackers'

Prosecutors in Istanbul on Tuesday objected to the release of six men suspected of attacking a leading journalist.



The chief public prosecutor's office told Anadolu Agency it had protested about the decision by the Istanbul 6th Criminal Court of Peace - a low-level court that initially deals with criminal cases.



The court had freed six suspects while detaining one - Ahmet Senguler - on Monday.



The men are accused of attacking Ahmet Hakan Coskun, a columnist for the Hurriyet newspaper and TV host, last week.



He was assaulted on Oct. 1 by four attackers as he was about to enter his home in Istanbul's Nisantasi neighborhood. He suffered a broken nose and ribs.



The seven suspects were referred to the court by the Anti-Terror and Organized Crimes Bureau of the prosecutor's office.



Three of the suspects were expelled from the Justice and Development (AK) Party after they were linked to the attack.



Last month, the Hurriyet's offices in Istanbul were attacked by a mob after allegedly misreporting comments made by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. - Ankara