Two journalists from the Netherlands detained in northwestern Turkey

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Covering the refugee mobility in Turkey's northwestern province of Edirne, RTL reporter Olaf Koens and camera operator Pepijn Nagtzaam from the Netherlands were taken into custody on the grounds that "they had entered a military forbidden zone."

The two have been released after giving their statements. Erselan Aktan, the lawyer of the journalists, has said that there was no warning or informative board at the spot where the journalists were detained.

Olaf Koens and Pepijn Nagtzaam while covering the wildfires in Turkey

Aktan has protested the detention of the journalists by saying, "In fact, it constitutes a crime when such warnings are open and when the 'forbidden zone' is entered secretly and by false pretenses."

As indicated by the lawyer, Koens and Nagtzaam were taken into custody yesterday (September 27) and they were held in detention during the day. Their vehicle and equipment were also briefly seized.

Noting that Olaf Koens is an important journalist reporting exclusive news from important centers of the world, Aktan has said, "All these will have a negative impact on their journalistic activities in Turkey. Therefore, they will be unable to freely exercise their freedom of labor."

'Detentions on similar grounds'

Recalling tha Edirne is a frequently used route for migrants, Aktan has said, "Thus, it is one of the important working areas for journalists. Almost every time, journalists moving along migrating groups are detained on similar charges and face lawsuits. Several court cases filed on this charge in Edirne have ended in acquittal. However, it has not prevented the investigating and prosecuting authorities from filing such cases."

Aktan has added, "There was an intense migratory flow to Edirne before and journalists covered the incident. During the news follow-up, the law enforcement separated some press workers, especially the Anadolu Agency, and detained other journalists and seized their equipment."

The lawyer has emphasized that "there are dozens of Court of Cassation rulings on such situations emphasizing that journalism does nor require affiliation with certain institutions." He has added, "These are rulings and legal precedents to be followed by investigating authorities."

Over 20 journalists detained

After Turkey announced in February 2020 that it opened the borders for the refugees to cross into Europe, several refugees went to Edirne. Over 20 journalists were detained during news follow-up there.

Of these journalists, Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporters Naci Kaya and İdris Sayılğan were put on trial on the grounds that "they had entered a military forbidden zone." The two stood trial at the Edirne 8th Penal Court of First Instance and were acquitted on April 14, 2021. (HA/SD)