Journalists Zeynep Kuray and İrfan Tunççelik Released on Probation

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Journalists Zeynep Kuray and İrfan Tunççelik, who were taken into custody on May 10 while following the protests that were staged to raise concerns about hunger strikes, were released on probation by the court, where they were referred to be arrested yesterday (May 13).

While Zeynep Kuray was detained while reporting on the protests of hunger striking inmates' families in Eminönü, İstanbul, İrfan Tunççelik, a reporter for the Mezopotamya Agency, was taken into custody while following the families who wanted to march to Bakırköy Prison in İstanbul.

Both journalists have been released on the condition that they give signatures at a police station twice a week.

While 13 relatives of inmates have also been released by the court, as of 9.36 p.m. yesterday, the other detained, including lawyer Arzu Kayaoğlu from the Libertarian Lawyers Association (ÖHD), were still deposing.

All of the detained, except for Hacı Ugiş, have also been released after their depositions. Ugiş, the Bakırköy District Co-Chair of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), has been arrested due to his social media posts.

What happened?

On May 9 and 10, a total of 41 people were taken into custody in Bakırköy and Sirkeci. While 38 of the detained were relatives of hunger striking inmates, the others were lawyer Arzu Kayaoğlu and journalists Zeynep Kuray and İrfan Tunççelik. All of the detained were referred to court to be arrested.

Journalists Kuray and Tunççelik as well as 13 people from the families of hunger striking inmates were released on May 13. The other detained except for HDP Bakırköy District Co-Chair Hacı Ugiş were also released later in the day. Ugiş was arrested on the ground of his social media posts. (HA/SD)