Turkish Cypriot journalist Pınar Barut, editor-in-chief of the online newspaper Özgür Gazete Kıbrıs, has received multiple death threats, with messages targeting both her and her family, it emerged on Monday. The threats include warnings that her home and workplace would be set on fire, raising alarm over her personal safety and the safety of her family ones.
According to reports in the Turkish Cypriot press, the perpetrators demanded one million US dollars “per person”, giving a two-day deadline for the money to be paid. If the demand was not met, the blackmailers warned that “bullets will do the talking”.
Prompting more concern is the level of detail in the messages, which included information about Barut’s personal life, such as the schools her children attend and the vehicle driven by her husband.
Organised crime
The threats were reportedly sent using fake SIM cards, making the technical identification of the culprits by 'police' more difficult. There are indications that organised groups may be behind the extortion, allegedly using individuals within the Turkish Cypriot community to gather information on their targets.
The incident has prompted strong reactions from unions in the north. The Turkish Cypriot Journalists’ Union condemned the threats, warning that the area has effectively become a “safe haven for hitmen” and stressing that such intimidation is a direct attack on press freedom. Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot Press Workers’ Union (Basın-Sen) pointed to rising crime levels, noting that after businesspeople, members of the media are now increasingly becoming targets of organised criminal networks.
Both organisations announced that they will hold a protest outside the 'police' HQ on Tuesday, calling on 'authorities' to take immediate action to protect Pınar Barut and her family and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.