The Daily Milliyet’s photo reporter Bünyamin Aygün was kidnapped by al-Qaeda-linked groups in Syria, according to a journalists' association. It has been stated that the efforts to secure his release had yet to yield results.

A statement from the Turkish Photo Journalists Association said Daily Milliyet’s photo reporter Bünyamin Aygün was kidnapped some time ago and efforts to secure his release had yet to yield results. The statement also asked for help from the Turkish Foreign Ministry. “Bünyamin Aygün is not an enemy, please release him,” the statement said.

Syria has become the most dangerous country in the world for journalists and the number of abductions has soared to an unprecedented level over the past year.

The vast majority of the kidnappings over the past six months were made by al-Qaeda-linked armed gangs.