24.05.2026 18:10
It was alleged that CNN Türk reporter Murat Bekmezci, who was following the protest of Özgür Özel and his team as they marched to the Turkish Grand National Assembly after the CHP headquarters was evacuated by police intervention, was slapped by CHP Deputy Group Chair Ali Mahir Başarır. The physical intervention against the journalist attempting to ask questions was captured on camera, drawing backlash. The Turkish Press Federation strongly condemned Başarır, stating that press freedom cannot be silenced by violence and demanded an investigation.
The evacuation crisis at the CHP headquarters and the subsequent march to the Turkish Grand National Assembly brought allegations of intervention against press members onto the media agenda. The Turkish Press Federation announced that CHP Deputy Group Chair Ali Mahir Başarır physically intervened with a CNN Türk reporter, issuing a strong condemnation message.
In the statement from the Federation, it was emphasized that journalists carry out a public duty for the public's right to information, and that verbal and physical violence is incompatible with the principles of a democratic state of law.
"THE PRESS IS FREE, IT CANNOT BE SILENCED BY VIOLENCE"
The public statement by the Turkish Press Federation included the following expressions:
"We strongly condemn all forms of verbal and physical intervention against press members. The physical intervention carried out by CHP Deputy Group Chair Ali Mahir Başarır against a CNN Türk reporter is unacceptable.
Journalists work as public officials serving the public's right to information. No verbal or physical intervention against a journalist performing their duty is compatible with the principles of a democratic state of law. The press is free, cannot be censored, and cannot be silenced by violence under any circumstances. We demand that the incident be clarified in all its aspects and that necessary investigations be conducted. We condemn it."