IPI Condemns Eser's Arrest

IPI and Journalists' Union of Turkey criticized the arrest of Sadiye Eser, a journalist who has been charged for being a KCK terrorist organization member.

On December 10, Eser was detained in a massive anti-terror operation led by Turkish police. Eser's sister Zozan, another journalist, has also been detained and released for the same charges.

"Under detention, Eser was asked questions like 'Why did you attend the World Peace Day demonstrations organized by pro-Kurdish party?', 'Why did you follow protests against the government's ban for PKK leader to meet his lawyers?', "Why did you attend Spring Equinox celebrations?'. They also asked questions about the notes she took," Journalists' Union of Turkey said in a statement.

"The charges on Eser were made according to a testimony made by a secret witness. But the very fact that it is a secret witness raises doubts on whether s/he is a police officer."

The union strongly condemned the arrest of Eser for "terrorism charges" only depending on her professional work, saying that it is a violation of press freedom and right to get informed.

International Press Institute also raised concerns over Eser's case, saying that the current number of jailed journalists exceeded 72 in Turkey. "We are calling the Turkish government to do necessary juridical revisions and free all jailed journalists." (EA/HK)