Suspicious death of American journalist in Istanbul raises questions

American documentarist and investigative journalist Andre Vltchek was found dead in a rental vehicle in Istanbul on Sept. 22. While his death was ruled "suspicious," police took statements from Vltchek's spouse and drivers.

Duvar English

American documentarist and investigative journalist Andre Vltchek was found dead in a rental vehicle in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district on Sept. 22.

While the 57-year-old journalist's death was ruled "suspicious," police took statements from Vltchek's spouse and drivers.

Born in the USSR, Vltchek obtained an American citizenship later in life, and traveled to more than 140 countries, reporting for well-known media outlets like France 24, The Guardian and ABC News.

"I fell in love with Turkey from the first instant, but it's a complicated love. I love Istanbul as an artist but Turkey is politically very complex," Vltchek had said in an interview with Aydınlık daily a little over a week ago.

The journalist had said that Turkey's political landscape is ever-changing, and that he never fully understood it, despite having worked here for long years.

The journalist's suspicious death is reminiscent of former British intelligence officer James Gustaf Edward Le Mesurier's death in November, which was ruled to be the result of a fall in the same Istanbul district.

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