turkish cypriot paper attacked over syria occupation headline
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

inside Syria as an "occupation".

Turkish Cypriot paper attacked over Syria 'occupation' headline

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Turkish Cypriot paper attacked over Syria 'occupation' headline

Protesters climb the building of Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Afrika Gazetesi".
Nicosia - Arab Today

Hundreds of protesters Monday demonstrated outside the offices of a Turkish Cypriot newspaper that aroused the ire of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by slamming Ankara's operation inside Syria as an "occupation".

The Afrika newspaper -- which is often anti-Ankara and staunchly critical of Erdogan -- wrote on its front page Sunday: "One more occupation from Turkey."

This was an ironic reference to the 1974 Turkish invasion of northern Cyprus which is regarded in Turkey as a "peace operation" but, in the eyes of the international community, led to Turkish troops occupying the northern third of the island.

Around 500 protesters, waving Turkish flags and the flag of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot statelet, gathered outside the offices of the paper, throwing eggs, water bottles and stones which smashed the building's windows.

"Allahu Akbar! (God is Greatest!)", they shouted. Some unfurled banners saying: "Afrika newspaper must be shut down immediately." Others carried a huge banner of Erdogan.

A group climbed a flagpole outside and dismantled the newspaper's main sign on the building's balcony. Police refrained from taking action, an AFP journalist reported.

Mehmet Demirci, the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) representative in northern Cyprus, said the newspaper had exceeded the limits of criticism.

"We condemn those who put such headlines in the Afrika newspaper and who dare to make politics over this headline," he was quoted as saying by the Anadolu news agency.

- 'Immoral'-

At the weekend, Erdogan had personally taken aim at the newspaper, criticising its headline as "immoral".

"They say the Turkish army is carrying out another 'occupation' after Cyprus. How immoral it is, how shameless it is!" he seethed.

Erdogan called on the Turkish Cypriots not to remain silent over the newspaper's controversial headline, in what some saw as encouraging the protest.

The foreign ministry of the internationally recognised Cypriot government expressed "grave concern" over the events in the north and condemned Erdogan's comments as "incitement to violence."

It "is yet another proof of Mr Erdogan's policy to consolidate Turkey's authoritarian policies in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus, including restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of the press," it said.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci defended the paper's right to freedom of speech, saying he had often been the target of criticism by Afrika but had never told the paper to be silent.

"It is not possible to correct wrong ideas with wrong actions," he said, in reference to the protests, warning against provocations.

OSCE representative for media freedom Harlem Desir said on Twitter he condemned "the attack vandalising" the offices of Afrika adding that "media freedom must be protected and respected."

The eastern Mediterranean island has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union between Greece and Cyprus.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is recognised only by Ankara.

Turkey on Saturday launched its operation with Ankara-backed Syrian rebels to root out the Syrian Kurdish Peoples' Protection Units (YPG) militia from Afrin.

Turkey views the YPG militia as "terrorists" linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, which has fought against the Turkish state since 1984 and is designated as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies.

Erdogan has urged national solidarity over the operation and the government has reached out to leaders of the main nationalist and secular opposition parties.

But Erdogan warned those who respond to calls for protests in Turkey will have to pay a "heavy price". The authorities on Monday detained 24 people on suspicion of disseminating "terror propaganda" on social media.

 

Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

turkish cypriot paper attacked over syria occupation headline turkish cypriot paper attacked over syria occupation headline

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

turkish cypriot paper attacked over syria occupation headline turkish cypriot paper attacked over syria occupation headline

 



GMT 10:12 2017 Friday ,03 November

Argentina call up Boca Juniors duo for Russia clash

GMT 23:39 2017 Tuesday ,04 July

Israel to allow fuel into Gaza on Sunday

GMT 14:43 2017 Wednesday ,22 February

Jimmy Choo to launch Man ICE fragrance

GMT 15:16 2018 Thursday ,13 September

Activists open Khan Al-Ahmar gate which IOF had closed

GMT 06:59 2016 Friday ,15 April

Hamas bolsters Gaza’s Egypt border in bid

GMT 06:18 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

Japan raids firms over alleged maglev bid-rigging

GMT 12:27 2017 Thursday ,13 April

HH the Emir Meets South Africa's President

GMT 06:34 2017 Thursday ,14 December

Leonard returns but Spurs stumble; James leads Cavs rout

GMT 18:02 2017 Thursday ,05 October

Somali president arrives in Sudan on official visit

GMT 17:17 2013 Tuesday ,24 September

Best house furniture

GMT 08:38 2017 Wednesday ,03 May

US Senate confirms Jay Clayton as new SEC chief

GMT 11:50 2015 Saturday ,26 September

The Library of Fragrance announces January launches

GMT 12:24 2017 Monday ,06 November

Balotelli scores, is sent off in Nice win

GMT 19:52 2017 Sunday ,24 September

Istanbul derby delivers three goals, five red cards
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday