Press in Arrest: 41 journalists behind bars in Turkey

* Photo: Pixabay

Formed by a group of voluntary journalists and documenting lawsuits against journalists in Turkey for two years, the Press in Arrest initiative released its March 2021 Press Freedom Report on April 9.

The report of the initiative has indicated that 41 journalists are behind bars in Turkey. "In March, journalists in Turkey once again spent much of their time at courthouses. During the month, at least 79 journalists appeared before a judge at various trials in 9 provinces," the report has said.

According to Press In Arrest data, at least three journalists were detained in March, while one journalist was denied entry to Turkey.

In 14 of the 35 hearings held in March, the courts handed down a verdict. Five journalists were acquitted. A trial involving two journalists was suspended. A journalist's case was dismissed by the court.

Eight journalists were sentenced to a total of 24 years, 3 months in prison and administrative fines totaling 14 thousand 80 Turkish Lira (TRY).

In March 2021, various judges in criminal courts of peace reportedly ruled to ban and delete dozens of online news stories. 

Upon a court verdict obtained by Serhat Albayrak, Press in Arrest's article titled "Ceren Sözeri - Serhat Albayrak / Compensation Lawsuit" was also banned. The court ruled that the article shall be deleted.

According to the Press In Arrest figures, 41 journalists are currently behind bars in Turkey, either convicted or pending trial.

Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) imposed administrative fines on Halk TV and TELE 1 in March 2021.

Some details from the report are as follows:

3 journalists detained, 1 deported

"A journalist with the Mezopotamya Agency (MA), Zekeriya Gözüpek was detained on his way to Van. The police released Gözüpek after receiving his statement. It was later revealed that the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office was drafting an indictment against Gözüpek.

"Journalist and writer Enver Aysever was detained upon a warrant issued by Çerkezköy Criminal Court of Peace. Aysever was released after giving a statement at the prosecutor's office. Aysever is being investigated for 'inciting the public to hatred and enmity'.

"Journalist Sylv Mercadier from France was detained at İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, where she arrived to follow the Newroz celebrations in Diyarbakır. Denied entry to Turkey, journalist Mercadier was deported aboard an airplane bound for Paris. Mercadier was given an Unacceptable Passenger Information Form, which stated that she was being deported since her entry to Turkey was considered to be objectionable.

"A reporter with Artı Gerçek, Yağmur Kaya was taken into custody while following the student protests against the appointment of Melih Bulu as the president of Boğaziçi University with a presidential decree. Yağmur Kaya was released on the same day.

79 journalists appeared before judge

"On March 1-31, 2021, in 35 trials held in 9 cities (İstanbul, Diyarbakır, Ankara, Gaziantep, Muğla, Van, Batman, Kars and Ağrı), at least 79 journalists appeared before a judge. 25 of the journalists standing trial were women. The courts reached verdicts of dismissal, suspension, acquittal, prison sentence or administrative fine in 13 of these trials.

"Ali Ergin Demirhan was fined 7,000 TRY in a trial for allegedly 'insulting the President' with news articles published on Sendika.Org.

"In the so-called 'National Intelligence Organization (MİT) Conspiracy Trial' concerning the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's interrogation of MİT Undersecretary Hakan Fidan and other MİT officials on February 7, 2012, an ex-reporter of Radikal Newspaper and HaberTürk TV, Mustafa Gökkılıç -imprisoned pending trial- was sentenced to 8 years, 4 months 'for membership of the armed terror organization FETÖ' and 'violating the confidentiality of an investigation'. Gökkılıç was released from prison.

"Journalist Müyesser Yıldız was sentenced to 3 years, 7 months in prison by Ankara 26. High Criminal Court for 'revealing confidential information regarding the state's security and political interests'.

"Journalist İsmail Dükel was sentenced to 1 year, 15 days by Ankara 26. High Criminal Court for 'revealing confidential information regarding the state's security and political interests'.

"Journalist Hakan Aygün was sentenced to 7 years, 15 days by Bodrum 3. Criminal Court of Peace for 'blasphemy' in a social media post, yet the court deferred the announcement of the sentence.

"Journalist Nagehan Alçı was sentenced to pay 7 thousand 80 TRY for 'insulting a public official on duty'.

"FOX TV's ex-News Manager Ercan Gün was sentenced to 10 years for 'membership of the armed terror organization FETÖ' at the trial regarding the murder of Agos Newspaper's Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink.

Journalist attacked, TV channels fined

"Journalist Levent Gültekin was attacked by a mob prior to joining a TV program. Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation.

"In Van, the police prevented journalists from interviewing HDP member Murat Sarısaç on the street, claiming that it was against the law.

"Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) imposed administrative fines on the channels Halk TV and TELE 1, for allegedly broadcasting programs in violation of Law no. 6112 on the Establishment and Broadcasting Services of Radios and Televisions." (SD)

* Click here for the full report