Attack on Hürriyet building marks 'black page' for Turkey's democracy

Daily Hürriyet?s Istanbul headquarters was pelted with stones by a group of pro- Justice and Development Party (AKP) supporters early on Sept. 7 in an attack described by the newspaper?s editor-in-chief as ?a black page in Turkey?s democratic history.?

Around 150 pro-AKP protesters started to convene in front of Hürriyet?s HQ in Istanbul?s Ba?c?lar district late on Sept. 6, hours after a deadly terrorist attack in Turkey?s southeast.

The group then attacked security personnel at the outer gate before forcing their way to the door, which they pelted with stones. Protesters chanting pro-AKP slogans retreated after riot police arrived at the scene.

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"Hürriyet is Turkey?s most influential newspaper and a symbol of free journalism. Attacks on any newspaper should be condemned, but the attack on a paper with this kind of identity will particularly be put as a black page in Turkey?s democratic history,? editor-in-chief Sedat Ergin told private broadcaster CNN Türk.

?This attack was carried out by supporters of the ruling party. Political parties in a democracy should distance themselves from violence,? he added.

Calls to burn down the newspaper building

Abdülrahim Boynukal?n, an AKP Istanbul MP and the head of the AKP?s youth organization, led the protesters who threw stones at Hürriyet?s building. Protesters then marched to the flag pole outside the building and lowered the Hürriyet flag, before burning it while chanting political and slogans including ?God is great.?

As the attack continued, there were calls among AKP supporters on social media to burn down the Hürriyet building ?like the Mad?mak,? a hotel in the eastern...