Egypt's Police Raid Office of Turkey's State-Run Anadolu Agency, Detain Four Employees

Source: AA

Click to read the article in Turkish

Egypt's police raided the Cairo office of Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) yesterday (January 15), detaining four employees. The staff members, including one citizen of Turkey, were taken to an unknown location.

Turkey condemned the raid and called for their immediate release.

"The raid on Anadolu Agency's Cairo office last night by Egyptian security forces and the detention of some of the office workers without justification is an act of harassment and intimidation against the Turkish press. We strongly condemn it," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"This act of violence against AA once again highlights not only the negative approach of the Egyptian government to press freedom but also its grave situation on democracy and transparency," the statement said.

"Western countries, which seem sensitive about freedom of the press and expression, have a role in this reckless attitude by overlooking the condemnation of the violations in this country."

Presidency Communications Director Fahrettin Altun also condemned Egyptian authorities for their "hostile attitude towards the Turkish press."

"The hostile attempt of the Egyptian coup d'état towards the employees of Anadolu Agency is an indication of how insolent they are," Altun remarked.

AA's General Director Şenol Kazancı called for the immediate release of the employees.

"Egyptian authorities should immediately release AA employees," Kazancı said. He also stressed that the attitude of the Egyptian security forces towards the press was "unacceptable."

Several senior officials from Turkey extended support and conveyed their concerns to Kazanci, including Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalın, Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu, Education Minister Ziya Selçuk, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop, Transport Minister Cahit Turhan and Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli.

Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül said Turkey expected the immediate release of the employees, who he said were "illegally detained."

'Insult against Turkey'

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli, an ally of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), slammed the raid as "unlawful." He said it was "a dark move" and a "clear insult" against Turkey.

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party spokesman Omer Celik and deputy chairman Cevdet Yilmaz strongly condemned Egypt's seizure and detention of Anadolu Agency staff.

AK Party Deputy Chairman Numan Kurtulmus called for the immediate release of the journalists and an apology from Egypt.

Meanwhile, Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay also called Kazanci about the raid and expressed his concern over the detention of the staff. (EKN/VK)