Opposition politician, journalist assaulted on same day in Ankara

An opposition politician from former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu's Future Party was battered in Ankara on Jan. 15, hours before a journalist from nationalist Yeniçağ daily was attacked as he climbed into his car. Future Party deputy chair Selçuk Özdağ survived the battery, while Orhan Uğuroğlu inflicted small injuries.

Friday January 15 2021 03:43 pm

This collage photo shows the injuries that Future Party deputy chair Selçuk Özdağ (L) and Yeniçağ journalist Orhan Uğuroğlu inflicted.

Serkan Alan / DUVAR - Duvar English

An executive of former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu's Future Party was battered in the capital Ankara on Jan. 15, hours before a journalist for nationalist Yeniçağ daily was attacked by a small mob.

Future Party deputy chair Selçuk Özdağ was attacked as he climbed into his car in front of his home, where five people with weapons battered him severely.

Özdağ was quickly taken to the hospital for treatment but was unable to speak to the press as a result of severe blood loss.

The assailants drove away in a vehicle without a license plate, a Future Party official said.

"We're waiting for a statement from the president about this attack on a politician with whom he's personally worked," Davutoğlu said in a statement.

Genel Başkan Yardımcım Selçuk Özdağ’ın Cuma namazına gitmek için evinden çıktığı sırada Başkent’in göbeğinde uğradığı silahlı ve sopalı hain saldırıya ilişkin açıklamam: https://t.co/BSi6MbFm9Q
— Ahmet Davutoğlu (@Ahmet_Davutoglu) January 15, 2021

Hours later, Ankara correspondent for nationalist Yeniçağ daily, Orhan Uğuroğlu was battered in the same fashion as he climbed into his car.

Uğuroğlu's injuries were smaller than Özdağ's, and the assailants who attacked him drove a car with an Istanbul vehicle plate.

"We are from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Stop criticizing the MHP. The nationalists will find you," the perpetrators reportedly told Uğuroğlu.