JOURNALISTS will gather in Turkey tomorrow to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Evrensel journalist Metin Goktepe, who was tortured and beaten to death by police officers in 1996.

The service at the Atisalani Esenler Kemer Cemetery will be attended by current Evrensel journalists, along with trade unions and other supporters.

Mr Goktepe was taken into police custody in Istanbul on January 8 1996 after covering the funerals of Riza Boybas and Orhan Ozen, who were killed in prison riots.

He was found dead in a sports hall the following morning with his body badly beaten.

Ten police officers faced trial for his murder, with five acquitted and five sentenced to seven years in prison. They served just one year and eight months of their sentences and were released as part of an amnesty.

Turkey continues its attacks on press freedom with more journalists in jail than any country in the world. Tens of thousands have had press cards cancelled and hundreds of media organisations have been shut down.

Evernsel editor Fatih Polat told the Star: “Twenty-three years have passed since my friend. Evrensel newspaper reporter Metin Goktepe was detained and beaten to death by police officers.

“At the time journalists were being killed in Turkey. Today [Erdogan’s regime] wants to kill journalism.

“Metin lost his life while trying to convey the truth to the public. Today, the best way to remember him is to continue to write the truth.”

Evrensel faces a 100,000 Turkish lira (£14,885) fine for publishing an article criticising government economic policy. British-based journalists and trade unions have launched a solidarity appeal to help to pay the fine and support press freedom in Turkey.