Turkish far-right official punches, threatens journalist

Duvar English 

An official from the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has punched and threatened a journalist in the Ereğli district of the Central Anatolian province of Konya. 

Footage shows MHP Ereğli district deputy head Hasan Yazar attacking journalist Özcan Saraç on the street. 

Saraç said that he received a death threat from Yazar after being assaulted and that this is not the first time the official attacked a journalist. 

According to Saraç, the attack came after they reported on Ereğli Mayor Hüseyin Oprukçu's corrupt practices. 

"We are telling the wrong policies of Oprukçu to the public. We're struggling to make the public learn the truth," Saraç said. 

"We are doing our journalistic duties under difficult conditions. Oprukçu is trying to pressure us this way. This MHP official's attacks and threats won't make us bow down," he added. 

Saraç also called on MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli to "do what's necessary." 

Shortly before the attack, daily Sözcü correspondent Müslüm Evci had said that he was threatened by MHP Ereğli district head Musa Yılmaz to leave a press conference. 

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