Journalist Aziz Oruç Arrested

* Photo: Facebook

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Detained in Doğubayazıt in Ağrı on December 11 and declared a "terrorist" by the Ministry of Interior, journalist Aziz Oruç has been arrested.

Oruç was referred to the Doğubayazıt Penal Judgeship of Peace after he deposed at the prosecutor's office. The judgeship has ruled that Aziz Oruç shall be arrested on charge of "membership of a terrorist organization". The journalist has been sent to Patnos Prison in Ağrı.

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Doğubayazıt District Co-Chair Abdullah Ekelek and HDP's Muhammet İkram Müftüoğlu were also arrested on December 13 on the ground that they aided Aziz Oruç.

What happened?

Journalist Aziz Oruç, a reporter for the Dicle News Agency (DİHA) closed by a Statutory Decree, had been living in Iraq for the past three years due to the lawsuits filed against him in Turkey.

Leaving Iraq for Iran to reach Europe through Armenia, he was taken into custody at Armenia border gate. Subjected to police violence in custody in Armenia, Oruç was turned over to the soldiers of Iran.

Oruç was forced to cross the border to Turkey through the wire fence on Turkey-Iran border on December 11. He was taken into custody with HDP Doğubayazıt District Co-Chair Abdullah Ekelek, whom he asked for help, when they were about to leave the city on December 11.

CLICK - Journalist Aziz Oruç Detained After Iran 'Forced Him to Illegally Cross the Border'

(HA/SD)