Hurriyet columnist and TV talk show host Ahmet Hakan, who has faced death threats before, hospitalised with injuries.

One of Turkey’s most prominent anti-government journalists has been attacked by a gang outside his home in Istanbul.

Ahmet Hakan, a columnist for the Hurriyet newspaper and a TV show host on CNN-Turk, was admitted to hospital on Thursday after sustaining injuries to his ribs and nose.

Four assailants attacked Hakan, who has previously faced death threats, shortly after midnight outside his home in the Nisantasi district of Istanbul, Hurriyet said.

After hosting his late-night show, Hakan had left the shared headquarters of CNN-Turk and Hurriyet in a car with his driver and bodyguard, the newspaper said.

One of the attackers held off his bodyguard and the other three beat Hakan before fleeing in their car.

Police detained all four suspects after a hot pursuit, Hurriyet said.

In their initial testimonies, the assailants claimed the incident was prompted by an argument with Hakan in traffic.

But video footage on Hurriyet’s website shows the perpetrators began following his car immediately after he left his office.

Hurriyet headquarters were attacked twice last month by pro-government demonstrators.