Cumhuriyet’s Ankara representative, Erdem Gul, who is on trial along with Dundar, told CNN-Turk television that the attacker shouted “traitor” as he fired at Dundar. Dundar was not harmed, but another journalist was slightly injured in the leg.
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Dundar was on trial in Istanbul following the publication of images purporting to show arms being transported to Syria in trucks belonging to Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT).
Mr Dundar, a former newspaper editor, was briefing reporters outside the courthouse when the incident occurred.
Under the ruling AK Party, which was founded by Erdogan, Turkey has seized control of opposition newspapers and broadcasters and cut the satellite feed of a pro-Kurdish channel, accusing them of terrorism-related activities.
Prosecutors have recently dropped the charges of espionage and aiding a terrorist organisation leveled at Dundar and Gul.
The shooting happened before the verdict in the trial was due to be announced on Friday.
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The two journalists were released in late February by the respective court pending a trial after Turkey’s constitutional court said that their rights had been violated. Dundar faces a life sentence if found guilty on charges of espionage and attempting to bring down the government. Last month senior Turkish security officials were among 34 defendants put on trial accused of links to the murder of a prominent Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink, a decade ago.
