Didim Mayor CHP’s Deniz Atabay is recovering in hospital after he was viciously beaten in a baseball bat attack at a prime restaurant at Didim Marina last night (Monday).

The attack occurred as Mr Atabay and his personal lawyer Nizamettin Bulut were meeting for dinner at Key-f ​​Restaurant & Cafe in D-Marin Didim Marina,

Mayor Didim Atabay

Four suspects are alleged to have entered the restaurant and attack both victims, leaving them with various injuries.

The attackers fled the scene following the intervention of the restuarant’s waiters. 

Scene of the alleged attack

Police teams were dispatched to the scene and are understood to have caught three of the alleged attackers.

Atabay and his lawyer were taken to a private hospital in the district and to Aydın Adnan Menderes University Practice and Research Hospital for further treattment.

Injuries to one of the two victims

CHP Aydın Provincial Chairman Ali Çankir, who came to Didim after the incident, said: “We received information about an attack on our Didim Mayor Deniz Atabay. His health is generally good.

“Aydın Governorate, Didim District Governorate, Provincial Police and District Police Department officials are doing the necessary work. The arrest of the perpetrators will also be communicated to us in the coming hours. As CHP, we stand by our mayor with all our staff.

Scene of the alleged attack

The attack happened just hours after the Maril Hotel, known as the ‘twin towers’ in Altinkum was sealed due to allegedly having no operator’s licence.

Opposition and AK Party Didim District President Maşallah Subaşı, condmned the attack, stating: “I send my best wishes to Mr Atabay. Regardless, the mayor represents a will in Didim. We do not accept any method used other than law and justice, and especially we completely reject violence.”