Document shows gov't ignored attacked journalist Hakan's security request

Hürriyet columnist and CNNTürk program host Ahmet Hakan legally requested that the Turkish government appoint a permanent security detail 17 days before he was targeted in a physical attack on Oct. 1, legal documents show.
Four men, arriving in a black Honda at 12:35 a.m. on Oct. 1, attacked Hakan in Istanbul?s Ni?anta?? neighborhood, as he was returning home after hosting his television program. 

Hakan was hospitalized with broken bones in his nose and ribs after he was beaten by three assailants. Another assailant targeted his private bodyguard, who was commissioned by daily Hürriyet.

The attack was preceded last month by a physical attack on daily Hürriyet?s headquarters in Istanbul by pro-Justice and Development Party (AKP) protesters on the night of Sept. 6. AKP deputy Abdurrahim Boynukal?n was filmed amid that attack delivering a fiery speech in front of the Hürriyet office, and he was also filmed in another video explicitly threatening Hakan.

The veteran Hürriyet journalist has also been a regular target in Turkey?s pro-AKP media outlets. 

?Like schizophrenia patients, you still think you are living in the days when Hürriyet was running the country. But we could crush you like a fly if we wanted. We have been merciful until today and you are still alive,? pro-government Star newspaper columnist Cem Küçük had written in a Sept. 9 article, addressing Hakan. A criminal complaint against Küçük has been filed since the piece appeared.

Istanbul Governor admits shortcomings in phone call

After the threats, Hakan?s lawyer Turgut Kazan spoke on the phone with Interior Minister Selami Alt?nok, personally requesting an official bodyguard due to the ?imminent threat,? daily Hürriyet has learned.

Another...