Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Dec 7 2007

Greek journalist assaulted in Beyoðlu recovering after attack

The editor-in-chief of Ýstanbul’s Greek language daily Ýho (Echo) was
assaulted on Wednesday by unknown assailants in Beyoðlu.

After parking his car near the Ýho newspaper building, Andreas
Rombopulos was knocked to the ground as he emerged from his vehicle.
Two attackers reportedly hit Rombopulos repeatedly with clubs,
inflicting injuries to the head of the Greek journalist and causing
multiple fractures to one of his arms. Following the assault, the
assailants fled the scene, leaving Rombopulos in a prolonged state of
shock. Rombopulos was able to make it on his own to the German
Hospital in Taksim, where he received stitches for cuts on his head
and right arm; his fractured arm was set in a cast.
"I parked my car near my office. Two strangers came from behind and
started to hit me with clubs. I tried to protect myself from the
blows, but they were hitting so ruthlessly. A club was broken over my
head. The attack lasted about 20 seconds. I guess it was a
professionally planned attack. I asked them why they were hitting me,
but they gave no reply. I think they may have followed me. I saw one
of the attackers. He was aged about 30 and was neatly dressed,"
Rombopulos reportedly told the police, adding that he had not
received any threats before the attack.

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, who had just returned from a visit to
Greece on Wednesday, condemned the attack, saying the authorities
were working diligently to capture the assailants.

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos said Rombopulos
was "brutally attacked." "At a time when efforts are being made and
steps are being taken to improve and reinforce relations between the
two countries, some people, with their unacceptable and criminal
acts, are trying to create obstacles," Koumoutsakos said, adding,
"They will not succeed."

"We unreservedly condemn them," Koumoutsakos said, adding that Greece
expects Turkish authorities to arrest and try the perpetrators and to
take measures so that such attacks are not repeated.

In January, ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was shot dead in
front of his newspaper’s office in a brazen daylight attack that
prompted international condemnation and debate within Turkey about
free speech.

Traditional rivals Greece and Turkey have recently been working to
improve their relations. On Tuesday, they announced that they were
expanding military cooperation as part of new confidence-building
measures. Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is expected to visit
Turkey in the near future for what would be the first official visit
by a Greek premier in 48 years.

Rombopulos thanked the foreign ministers of both countries for their
statements, adding that the police had been quick to act and that he
believed the assailants woulds soon be captured.

Speaking to journalists at his home while recovering after the
incident, Rombopulos said he was saddened by comments claiming the
attack might be damaging to relations between the two countries.

07.12.2007

Today’s Zaman Ýstanbul