Investigation concludes for two Kurdish journalists in pre-trial detention

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An investigation into the arrests of two Kurdish journalists, Dicle Müftüoğlu and Sedat Yılmaz, has come to an end.

Müftüoğlu serves as the co-chair of Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG), and Sedat Yılmaz is an editor for Mezopotamya Agency and also an editor and writer for BİA children's library.

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has completed the investigation and compiled an indictment involving the two journalists and 19 other individuals, with five of them currently remanded in custody.

The prepared indictment has now been forwarded to the Ankara 28th Heavy Penal Court for further examination. Within the next 15 days, the court will decide whether to accept the indictment or return it to the prosecution.

As of this moment, the specific charges against the journalists have not been publicly disclosed.

Background

The arrests of Dicle Müftüoğlu and Sedat Yılmaz occurred on April 29 in Diyarbakır as part of the ongoing investigation initiated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

During their detainment, the journalists faced a 24-hour restriction on meeting with their lawyers. Following this period, they reported that during the transportation to Ankara, they endured 15 hours of being held in handcuffs and were deprived of food for 24 hours.

After being brought before the Ankara Penal Judgeship of Peace, both journalists were subsequently arrested. Sedat Yılmaz was taken to Sincan 2nd High-Security Closed Prison, while Dicle Müftüoğlu was transferred to Sincan Women's Closed Prison.

Dicle Müftüoğlu previously emphasized the importance of their advocacy for journalism, press freedom, and Turkey's democratization during an interview on April 22, which coincided with Kurdish Journalists Day (Roja Rojnamegerîya Kurdî). She called for solidarity in the fight to uphold these principles. (HA/VK)