Turkish Cypriot journalist receives death threats over crime report

Turkish Cypriot journalist Canan Onurer reported receiving a death threat after refusing to retract a report on criminal activity by individuals who arrived from Turkey in the occupied territories. Journalistic unions have reacted strongly.

According to reports, Canan Onurer, Digital Publications Coordinator of 'Kıbrıs Postası', received a message stating 'if you don't take down the news, we won't let you live'. The threat is related to a news story about the arrest and deportation of individuals who committed alcohol thefts in shops in occupied Nicosia in February. The journalist reported the incident to the 'police'.

The Turkish Cypriot press workers' union (Basın-Sen) stated its support for Canan Onurer and all press workers, stressing that 'no threat will prevent journalists from doing their duty'. The union will monitor the case.

The statement notes that increasing crime in the occupied territories threatens social peace and denounces the attempt to silence and censor news about individuals entering on tourist visas and committing crimes.

Source: CNA