Journalist Abdullah Akyol, who was covering a story in Diyarbakır’s historic On Gözlü Köprü district, has been subjected to physical and verbal attacks by a group of approximately 10 people allegedly consisting of employees and owners of a local business

ARDIL BATMAZ, DİYARBAKIR

Another incident has been added to the spiral of violence against journalists in Turkey, this time in Diyarbakır. Journalist Abdullah Akyol was attacked on 24 March 2026, while filming near the On Gözlü Köprü by a group of approximately 10 people allegedly consisting of employees and owners of a local business. Akyol, who sustained injuries to his head and arm from the blows, went to the Sur Çarşı Police Station to file a complaint against the attackers.

In his statement to the police, Akyol recounted that while he was filming the water level of the Dicle River, a man in his 60s or 65 grabbed him by the arm, saying, “How dare you tarnish our honor? You have targeted the café,” and forcibly dragged him into the kitchen area of a business, where he was subjected to insults and threats.

Despite the efforts of Akyol’s friends present at the scene to intervene, the violence continued to escalate. As he attempted to leave the establishment, the journalist was beaten, sustaining injuries to his head and various parts of his body.

Akyol stated that the attack stemmed from a news story he shared on social media on 14 December 2025, regarding constructions at the On Gözlü Köprü. In his statement, he said that he did not directly target any business in the story but acted solely in the public interest.

In a statement following the attack, Akyol said, “The fact that this attack was carried out by business owners and employees who know me suggests that the incident was not random. This attack is not only directed at me personally but also constitutes a clear violation of press freedom and the public’s right to information.”

Since 2016, the number of businesses along the historic On Gözlü Bridge—one of Diyarbakır’s landmarks—and the riverbank has increased unchecked.

Due to heavy rainfall in recent days, the flow of the Tigris River has risen, submerging parts of some businesses built along the riverbed.

Civil society organizations point out that the concrete walls, debris dumps, and commercial structures along the riverbank are encroaching on public space and obscuring the historic fabric, noting that these illegal structures are being legalized through regulations such as “urban planning amnesties.”

Business owners, however, defend themselves by stating that they have obtained a “Building Registration Certificate” and that the state officially recognizes these structures.