English journalists Jake Hanrahan, Philip Pendlebury from Vice News and Iraqi interpreter M.İ.R were detained and then arrested in Diyarbakır province, in southeastern Turkey. Vice News reacted:
“We continue to work with all relevant authorities to expedite the safe release of our three colleagues and friends.”
Elçi: They were interrogated due their interviews
Diyarbakır Bar President, Tahir Elçi, told bianet that journalists were detained with notice and interrogated due to their interviews, photos and contacts.
Hanrahan, Pendlebury and two journalists who were also interpreters were detained in Diyarbakır province last week. The journalists were sent to Criminal Court of Peace on duty for arrest on Monday.
The Court decided that Hanrahan, Pendlebury and M.İ.R would be arrested for ‘helping an illegal organization deliberately without participating in its hierarchy.’
Detainee A.D. was released.
Vice condemns
Vice News reacted:
“VICE News condemns in the strongest possible terms the Turkish government’s attempts to silence our reporters who have been providing vital coverage from the region,” he said. “We continue to work with all relevant authorities to expedite the safe release of our three colleagues and friends.”
International reaction
Amnesty International, PEN International and Committee to Protect Journalists also reacted to the arrests of the Vice News journalists and interpreters. (EA/BD)
Click here to read the article in Turkish
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