Yesterday (February 23) afternoon, two Turkish journalists, Aslan Menguc, ‘Channel T’ television’s News Editor and Istanbul News Agency cameraman, Gurol Sekerler, were assaulted by Greek Cypriot police at the Greek Cypriot Ledra Palace check point while trying to cross over to the South for interviews.

Contrary to the procedures that have been implemented up until today, the two Turkish journalists were obstructed by Greek Cypriot police from crossing over to the South and on asking why they were being prevented from crossing over, Greek Cypriot police assaulted the cameraman alleging that he was filming and damaged his camera.

Following this incident, many journalists went to the Ledra Palace check point, where they were told by Greek Cypriot police that from now on journalists of Turkish origin, except for the days when TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulos, meet, could not cross over to the South without obtaining the necessary permission from the Greek Cypriot Public Information Office. Greek Cypriot police said that this new decision had been taken yesterday (February 23).