Dicle Fırat Journalists Association pays tribute to Hafız Akdemir

Akdemir received threatening phone calls at work and at home in response to articles he had written about the Islamic organization Hezbollah and Turkish counter-guerrillas.

Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) paid tribute to Özgür Gündem journalist Hafız Akdemir.

Journalist Hafız Akdemir was murdered in Sur, in Amed, on 8 June 1992.

In a statement released to commemorate Akdemir, DFG recalled that Akdemir, a correspondent in the Diyarbakir office of the daily Özgür Gündem, was shot with a single bullet to the head while he was on his way home from work.

Witnesses said the assailant was between 18 and 19 years old and was wearing a long-sleeved jean shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers.

Akdemir received threatening phone calls at work and at home in response to articles he had written about the Islamic organization Hezbollah and Turkish counter-guerrillas.

The statement also recalled that "Akdemir, who started to work as a journalist in Yeni Ülke (New Country) newspaper after spending many years in prison, continued his work and struggle in Özgür Gündem, which became a real school for journalists. Despite the threats Hafiz Akdemir never stopped seeking the truth."