Press Organizations Request Revoking Custody Order Against Refik Tekin

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Turkey Journalists’ Association (TGC), Turkey Journalists’ Union (TGS) and Progressive Journalists’ Association (ÇGD) have made an application to Şırnak Governor Ali İhsan Su concerning imc TV cameraperson, Refik Tekin.

In the application submitted by TGC President Turgay Olcayto, TGS Chairperson Uğur Güç, ÇDG Chairperson Ahmet Abakay and Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) Press Union President Faruk Eren, it has been requested to revoke the custody order noting that Refik Tekin had been a prize winner journalist.

“Refik Tekin is a journalist”

The petition has included following expressions:

“İmc TV cameraperson Refik Tekin had been shot in his leg during observing the happenings in Cizre and taken to hospital. Police are on watch at the door of our colleague who has undergone a severe operation. Refik Tekin who has been ordered to be taken into custody is a prize winner journalist. He has been shot while on duty for the sake of people’s right to information and to find out the truths.

“Issuing a custody order due to carrying out his occupational duties and making the police wait in front of his door in the hospital where he is being treated is contradicts the constitution and the Press Law.

“Taking all of these into account, we as TGC, TGS, ÇGD and DİSK Press Union kindly request to continue the treatment of our colleague without a police watch at his door and revoke the custody order against him”.

What had happened?

Tekin has been wounded as the group among who Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MP, Faysal Sarıyıldız included was marching towards the neighborhood under curfew upon Serhan Altun losing his life for not being allowed to be taken into a hospital, nine others have been wounded alongside Tekin.

State-run Anadolu Agency (AA) had announced the injured as “terrorist” and said “Conflict erupted in Cizre district of Şırnak province between security forces and terrorists. In the conflict, three terrorists have been neutralized and nine others wounded. The wounded terrorists in the conflict zone were tried to be taken away by funeral vehicles and ambulances. There was reportedly an allegedly cameraperson working for a TV channel among the injured” in its report.

Following the incident, Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS) had emphasized that journalists working in the region have no life safety.

Refik Tekin

Cameraperson and photographer Refik Tekin was following with imc TV reporter, Saadet Yıldız curfew and ongoing conflicts in Kurdish cities for a while.

Tekin had also photographed ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) members crossing into Turkey and granted Metin Göktepe Journalism Award with Yıldız. (EA/DG)