On 13 October 2025, Turkish journalist and environmental activist Hakan Tosun died from his injuries following a street assault by two individuals. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) join their Turkish affiliates the Turkiye Gazeteciler Sendikasi (TGS), the Türkiye Gazeteciler Cemiyeti (TGC) and Disk Basin-is in urging authorities to investigate whether the assault is connected to his work as a documentary filmmaker.
Hakan Tosun was found unconscious after being attacked as he walked through the streets of Istanbul’s Esenyurt district on 11 October. According to CCTV footage published by Turkish media, Tosun was struck on the head by two individuals on a motorcycle. He suffered a brain hemorrhage and was taken to the Çam and Sakura City Hospital, where he died after two days of intensive care, on 13 October 2025.
The police confirmed that they arrested two men, aged 18 and 24, over the assault.
Tosun was a news editor for private television channels and a freelance documentary producer since 2009. He was renowned for his work on ecology, urban struggles and social events.
TGS is concerned that the attack may be linked to his work: “Initial findings point to a robbery, but many questions remain unanswered, awaiting an official response. The area where Hakan Tosun was attacked is a neighborhood with a high crime rate. However, it is essential to investigate whether his murder was related to his work as a documentary filmmaker.”
In a statement, Disk Basin-is echoed demands for transparency and public oversight of the investigation: ‘The case should be kept under public, media, and press surveillance, and public oversight should be maintained. Hakan Tosun was a journalist known for his independent reporting and sensitivity towards the environment and society. This investigation is not just about finding a perpetrator, but also a test for free press, public conscience, accountability, and democracy.”
The Federations extend their condolences to Hakan’s family and loved ones, and call for a swift and independent investigation to shed light on the motives behind the attack and the circumstances surrounding his death.
Source: IFJ
