Turkey's president threatens newspaper editor: He will 'pay a heavy price'

 By 
Brian Ries
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has threatened the editor of a Turkish newspaper that published photos online of ammo-packed trucks reportedly headed for rebels in Syria, saying the editor will "pay a heavy price."

"I suppose the person who wrote this as an exclusive report will pay a heavy price for this,"

"I will not leave go of him," said Erdogan.

The paper published alleged photos and video last week that date to January 2014 when local authorities searched Syria-bound trucks, touching off a standoff with Turkish intelligence officials. Cumhuriyet said the images were proof that Turkey was sending arms to Syrian rebels -- a claim the government rejects.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Dündar, the editor, is now under investigation for possible breach of anti-terror laws. Erdogan says he's also filed a lawsuit, accusing Dündar of committing "espionage."

Responding to the threat on Twitter, Dundar used Erdogan's words against him, according to a translation by Hurriyet Daily News, writing: "The person who committed this crime will pay a heavy price. We will not let go of him."

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