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November 25, 2025 – Turkey –
A new wave of death threats has once again put the safety of Turkish-Cypriot journalists under the spotlight. On 24 November 2025, Pınar Barut — editor-in-chief of the online outlet Özgür Gazete Kıbrıs — revealed that she and her family have been targeted with serious threats. Threatening messages demanded a ransom of one million US dollars per person within two days and warned that failure to pay would result in violence, including burning her home and workplace. The senders also threatened her children and spouse, referencing personal details such as her children’s schools and her husband’s vehicle. The warnings reportedly came via disposable SIM cards, complicating efforts by police to trace the origin of the calls. Local media union Turkish Cypriot Journalists’ Union (KTGB) and Basın‑Sen condemned the threats, highlighting that organised crime groups seem to be increasingly targeting journalists. Many see this as yet another blow to press freedom in Northern Cyprus.
This recent case adds to an alarming pattern stretching across 2025. In May, Ayşemden Akın, chief editor at Bugün Kıbrıs, faced threats after publishing a detailed three-part investigation into alleged government corruption, money laundering, and ties to criminal networks. Her primary source, Cemil Önal — a whistle-blower who had exposed bribery and extortion involving high-level figures — was assassinated in the Netherlands on 1 May 2025. The killing of Önal and threats against Akın prompted calls from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) for full protective measures from Turkish-Cypriot authorities. Despite repeated requests for police protection, Akın received only a brief daily patrol near her home. The limited protection and lack of substantial state response ignited concern that a message is being sent to investigative journalists across Northern Cyprus.
Media observers warn that the targeting of Barut, along with threats against Akın and others, reflects a disturbing shift: organised crime and potentially political actors are increasingly using intimidation to silence critical reporting. The demands, methods, and the timing of threats — often following investigative work — suggest these are not random acts but deliberate attacks on media freedom. With credible threats now emerging as a recurring pattern, many journalists in Northern Cyprus view their work as a high-stakes gamble.
The situation raises urgent questions about whether local authorities are willing and able to protect independent journalism. With families threatened, journalists’ sources murdered, and protective efforts proving insufficient, the environment for press freedom in Northern Cyprus is increasingly hostile. Without meaningful intervention, the threat landscape may continue to deteriorate, and critical voices may be silenced.
Reference –
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/turkish-cypriot-journalist-targeted-in-death-threats
