20.10.2026 16:12
Lawyer Afşin Hatipoğlu stated that while he was on a Sözcü TV broadcast on Friday evening, he was called by a person using the name of the Daltonlar criminal organization, was asked for 5 million lira, and was told he would be killed if he did not pay. Hatipoğlu, who filed a criminal complaint and requested protection, noted that the appointment he had received from the Istanbul Police Department was canceled and said, "As of now, my life is under threat."
(ANKARA) -
Lawyer Afşin Hatipoğlu stated that a person who called him during the Sözcü TV program he appeared on Friday evening threatened to kill him if he did not leave the broadcast and demanded 5 million lira, and announced that he had filed a criminal complaint and requested protection. Noting that the appointment he had made to meet with the Istanbul Police was later canceled, Hatipoğlu said, "As of now, my life is under threat."
Lawyer Afşin Hatipoğlu noted the following in the statement he made on his social media account:
THEY DEMANDED 5 MILLION LIRA ON BEHALF OF THE DALTONS
"On Friday evening, while I was on the Sözcü TV broadcast, I was called from a phone number starting with +63. I could not answer the phone because I was on air. Later, a message was sent to me. In the message, the name of a person alleged to be a manager of the Daltons organization was given, and I was asked to leave the broadcast. I blocked the number. Then I was called from another number starting with +62. The caller introduced himself and said that he had received permission from the leader of the Daltons organization. He stated that he had imposed a fine of 5 million lira on me and that he would kill me if I did not pay this money.
POLICE APPOINTMENT CANCELED
I filed a criminal complaint together with the documents in our possession regarding the matter and requested protection. I also reached the Istanbul Police through an acquaintance who is a police officer and wanted to consult with them. I was given an appointment for today. However, I was later called and told that I needed to explain the matter at a police station, and my appointment was canceled.
At this stage, I have shared with you the concrete information regarding what I experienced without adding the slightest comment. I will not yet make any political or personal comment on the matter; this is the plain truth I experienced: 'I was threatened using the name of one of the country's most dangerous criminal organizations. I was told to leave the television broadcast and that I would be killed if I did not pay the requested 5 million lira.' As of now, my life is under threat. I have no authority other than the state to protect me, and no support other than the public."