Free Journalists Association: 8 Journalists Detained in 15 Days

Headline Image: Gazetecilere Özgürlük (Freedom to the journalists)

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Free Journalists Association (ÖGC) in its report as to right violations between May 1-15 has stated that the state imposes a heavy crackdown on the journalists who share pressures of the state on people and its unlawfulness with public.

The violations are listed in the report as follows:

* Eight journalists were detained, four arrested, four others subjected to torture.

* Two journalists were battered, two other threatened. Three journalists were exposed to assault.

* Three journalists were arbitrarily obstructed.

* Investigation was launched into seven journalists. Three lawsuits were brought against four journalists. Six journalists were penalized.

* A news site was blocked three times. Broadcast of a TV channel was banned.

* Broadcasting ban was imposed five times. Four media organs were banned.

* Two journalists were discharged.

Arrested journalists

The things the arrested journalists lived were explained as follows:

May 9: Five people including DİHA reporter Abdulkadir Turay detained in a house raid were arrested. Turan and the other four have been arrested on charge of “aid and abet to the [illegal] organization” and sent to Mardin Type E Closec Prison.

May 12: Nedim Türfent and Şermin Soydan were detained in Van province. The reporters stated to be taken custody over an investigation launched into them have been sent to Edremit TEM (Anti-Terror) Branch Office.

DİHA reporter Nedim Türfent brought to Yüksekova by being prevented from meeting his attorney was arrested by the court on charge of “being member to [illegal] organization”.

Soydan was arrested by the court he was referred to following his testimony in the prosecution.

May 13: Aram Publishing Editor Ferzende Taşan was arrested during a routine police control conducted at metro station in Kadıköy district of İstanbul. Taşan taken into custody after the Supreme Court of Appeals approved his older case in which he penalized on charge of “being member of [illegal] organization”, has been taken to Çağlayan Courthouse in İstanbul, and later sent to Metris Prison. (AS/TK)  

This publication has been produced within the partnership with Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso for the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), co-funded by the European Commission. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of IPS Communication Foundation and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.