List of arrested journalists in Turkey

Many journalists in Turkey are being persecuted and kept in jail all over the country.[1] Below is an extensive list of the prisoners, past and present.

According to advocacy group Sweden-based Stockholm Center for Freedom that tracks cases of prosecutions of Turkish journalists, Turkey has 245 journalists locked up behind bars as of January 24, 2018. An additional 140 journalists face outstanding arrest warrants. [2] Number of journalists behind bars is 191 as of Jan. 28, 2017. 231 journalists have been arrested after July 15, 2016 alone. [3]

List of arrested journalists

The following is a non-exhaustive list of arrested journalists in Turkey:[4] A new updated and searchable list of jailed journalists is compiled by Stockholm Center for Freedom which stated that 214 journalists were jailed, 22 convicted, 4 detained and 103 wanted as of May 12, 2017.

Arrested journalists in Turkey
Name Media Position Date arrested Status Background info Pictures
Abdulcebbar KarabeğAzadiya Welatcorrespondent in Mersin2010-09-26Released on 2012-11-02 [5]detained at the closed prison of Hatay
Abdullah ÇetinDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Kurtalan2011-12-16Released on 2014-06-25[6]detained at the D-Type prison in Diyarbakır
Abdullah KılıçMeydancorrespondent2016-07-25[7]Arrested
Ahmet AkyolDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Adana2011-05-09Released on 2012-11-06[8]detained at the M-Type prison in Ceyhan, Adana
Ahmet BirsinGün TVgeneral coordinator2009-04-14Arresteddetained at the D-Type prison in Diyarbakır
Ali KonarAzadiya Welatcorrespondent in Elazig2010-05-27Arresteddetained at the E-Type prison in Malatya
Arif ÇelebiReleased on 2014-05-08 [9]detained during 7 years and 8 months
Ayşe OymanÖzgür Gündemeditor2011-12-24Released on 2014-03-03[10]detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakırköy, Istanbul
Aziz TekinAzadiya Welatcorrespondent in Mardin2012-01-29Arresteddetained at the E-Type prison in Mardin
Bayram NamazAtılımwriter2006-09-10Released on 2014-05-08 [9]detained during 7 years and 8 months at the F-Type prison in Edirne
Bedri AdanırAram Yayınları, Hawargeneral director2010-01-08Released on 2012-11-27 [11]detained during 689 days at the D-Type prison in Diyarbakır
Cengiz KapmazÖzgür Gündemwriter2011-11-26Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Çağdaş KaplanDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Istanbul2011-12-20Released on 2013-02-11[12]detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Davut UçarEtik Ajansdirector2011-12-24Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Deniz Yıldırım2009-11-09Arrested
Derek StoffelCBC Newsjournalist2013-06-12Released on 2013-06-12 [13]
Dilşah ErcanAzadiya Welatcorrespondent in Mersin2011-12-24Arresteddetained at the M-Type prison in Ceyhan, Adana
Dilek DemiralÖzgür Gündemjournalist2010-09-26Released on 2014-03-03[10]detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakırköy, Istanbul
Ebru UmarMetro, Libellejournalist, writer, columnist2016-04-23(Partly) released on 2016-04-24Dutch journalist, arrested because of insulting Turkish president Erdoğan. Umar is prohibited to leave Turkey for the Netherlands awaiting further investigation.[14]
Eda Akıllı ŞanlıBizim Antalyacolumnist2016-07-25[7]Arrested
Ekrem DumanlıZaman Gazetesigeneral director2014-12-14Released on 2014-12-19[15][16]
Emre SoncanZamancorrespondent2016-07-24[7]Arrested
Erdal SüsemEylüleditor2010-02-01Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Edirne
Erol ZavarOdakdirector2007-01-20Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Sincan, Ankara
Ertuğ BozkurtDicle Haber Ajansıeditor2011-12-24Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Fatih Özgür Aydın2011-07-25Arrested
Fatma KoçakDicle Haber Ajansıdirector2011-12-24Arresteddetained at the L-Type women prison in Bakırköy, Istanbul
Faysal TunçDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Sirnak2007-04-05Arresteddetained at the L-Type prison in Kalkandere
Ferhat ÇiftçiAzadiya Welatcorrespondent in Gaziantep2011-02-16Arresteddetained at the H-Type women prison in Gaziantep
Füsun ErdoğanÖzgür Radyogeneral coordinator2006-09-10Released on 2014-05-08 [9]detained during 7 years and 8 months at the T-Type prison in Kandira
Gülsen AslanDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Batman2012-02-20Released on 2012-10-15[8]detained at the M-Type prison in Batman
Habip GülerZamancorrespondent2016-07-25[7]Arrested
Hakan Soytemiz2010-09-25Released on 2012-09-24[8]
Halil İbrahim BaltaZaman, Yarına Bakışcorrespondent2016-07-25[7]Arrested
Hamit DilbaharAzadiya Welatwriter2010-02-13Arresteddetained at the E-Type prison in Erzurum
Hasan ÖzgüneşAzadiya Welatwriter2011-10-28Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Hatice DumanAtılımdirector2003-04-01Arresteddetained at the M-Type prison in Gebze
Hidayet KaracaSamanyolu TVowner2014-12-14Arrested
Hikmet Çiçek2008-03-25Arrested
Hüseyin DenizEvrenselcorrespondent2011-12-24Released on 2014-03-27[17]detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Ismail YıldızDersimdirector2011-12-24Released on 2013-02-11[12]detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Kenan BaşZamancorrespondent2016-07-25[7]Arrested
Kenan KaravilRadyo Dünyageneral director2009-12-11Released on 2010-10-22[18]detained at the F-Type prison in Kürkçüler, Adana
Kenan KırkayaDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Ankara2011-12-24Released on 2014-03-27[17]detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Mazlum DolanDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Diyarbakır2016-02-19[7]Arrested
Mazlum ÖzdemirDicle Haber Ajansıeditor2011-12-24Released on 2014-03-27[17]detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Mehmet BaransuTarafcorrespondent and columnist2015-03-02[19]detained at the Metris Prison
Mehmet Emin YıldırımAzadiya Welatgeneral director2011-12-24Released on 2014-03-27[17]detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Mehmet GüneşTürkiye Gerçeğiwriter???-??-??Released on 2012-10-05 [20]detained during 310 days at the F-Type Tekirdağ number 2 prison
Mehmet HaberalKanal Bowner2009-04-17Arrested
Mehmet YeşiltepeDevrimci Hareketwriter2009-04-30Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Tekirdağ
Miktat Algül2010-05-17Arrested
Murat Aydın2011-10-22Arrested
Musa KartYürüyüş2012-09-18Arrested
Mustafa BalbayCumhuriyetcorrespondent in Ankara2009-03-06Released on 2013-12-09[21]detained at the E-type prison in Sincan, Ankara for 4 years and 277 days[21]
Mustafa GökEkmek ve Adaletcorrespondent in Ankara2004-02-01Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Sincan, Ankara
Nahide ErmişDemokratik Moderniteboard member2011-12-24Released on 2014-01-14[22]detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul
Nedim TürfentDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Van2016-05-12[7]Arrested
Nevin ErdemirÖzgür Gündemeditor2011-12-24Released on 2014-03-27[17]detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul
Nilgün YıldızDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Mardin2011-12-24Arresteddetained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul
Nurettin FıratÖzgür Gündemwriter2011-12-24Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Nuri YeşilAzadiya Welatcorrespondent in Tunceli2010-05-27Arresteddetained at the E-Type prison in Elbistan
Oktay CandemirDicle Haber Ajansıjournalist2011-12-24Released on 2012-11-16[23]detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Olgun MaturBizim Antalyaowner2016-07-25[7]Arrested
Ömer ÇelikDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Istanbul2011-12-24Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Ömer ÇiftçiDemokratik Moderniteowner2011-12-24Released on 2013-02-11[12]detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Ömer Faruk ÇalışkanÖzgür Halkgeneral director2008-07-19Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Özlem AğuşDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Adana2011-12-24Arresteddetained at the women prison in Karatas, Adana
Pervin YerlikayaDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Istanbul
accountant		2011-12-24Released on 2013-02-11[12]detained at the L-Type prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul
Ramazan PekgözDicle Haber Ajansıeditor2011-12-24Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Sadık TopaloğluDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Urfa2011-12-24Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Saša PetricicCBC Newsjournalist2013-06-12Released on 2013-06-12 [13]
Selahattin AslanDemokratik Modernite2011-12-24Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Semiha AlankuşDemokratik Modernite2011-12-24Released on 2014-03-27[17]detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Sevcan AtakÖzgür Halkeditor2010-06-18Arresteddetained at the women prison in Karatas, Adana
Seyithan AkyüzAzadiya Welatcorrespondent in Adana2009-12-11Arresteddetained at the M-Type prison in Iskenderun
Sibel GülerÖzgür Gündemjournalist2011-12-24Released on 2014-03-03[10]detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy Istanbul
Sinan AygülDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Bitlis2011-01-23Released on 2012-11-07detained at the E-Type prison in Muş
Soner YalçınOdaTV, Hürriyetowner, journalist2011-02-14Released on 2012-12-27 [24]detained at the L-Type prison in Silivri
Sultan ŞamanHevîya Jinêeditor2012-02-07Arresteddetained at the M-Type prison in Batman
Şahabettin DemirDicle Haber Ajansıcorrespondent in Van2010-09-05Arrested
Şükrü SakAkıncı Yol ve Baran Dergisigeneral director2010-04-26Arresteddetained at the E-Type prison in Sivas
Tayip TemelAzadiya Welatwriter2011-10-08Arresteddetained at the D-Type prison in Diyarbakir
Tuncay Özkanex-Kanaltürkowner2008-09-27Arresteddetained at the L-Type prison in Silivri
Turabi KişinÖzgür Gündemeditor2012-01-02Arresteddetained at the F-Type prison in Kandira
Turhan ÖzlüUlusal Kanalgeneral director2011-10-08Arresteddetained at the L-Type prison in Silivri
Vedat Demir Yarına Bakış columnist 2016-08-03 Released on 2017-02-17[25] detained at the Silivri Prison
Yalçın Küçükwriter2011-03-07Arresteddetained at the L-Type prison in Silivri
Yüksel GençÖzgür Gündemwriter2011-12-24Arresteddetained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul
Zeynep KurayBirgüncorrespondent in Istanbul2011-12-24Released on 2013-04-26[26]detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul
Ziya ÇiçekçiÖzgür Gündemowner2011-12-24Released on 2013-02-11[12]detained at the F-Type women prison in Kandira
Zuhal TekinerDicle Haber Ajansıowner2011-12-24Released on 2013-02-11[12]detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul
Nazlı IlıcakBulvar, Bugün, Hurriyetpublisher, journalist2016-07-29Convicted/Jailed Pending AppealSentenced to life in prison with solitary confinement in 2018[27]
Ahmet AltanTarafjournalist2016-09-10Convicted/Jailed Pending AppealAccused of spreading subliminal messages announcing the military coup. Sentenced to life in prison with solitary confinement in 2018.[27]
Kadri GürselCumhuriyetjournalist2016-10Released on 2017-09-25He was accused, together with other Cumhuriyet staff, in the case on terrorism charges, with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), and the Fethullahist Organization (FETÖ) among the groups named in the indictments.[28]
Deniz YücelDie Welt, tazjournalist2017-02-14Released on 2018-02-16jailed in Istanbul[29]
Murat Aksoyjournalist2017-04Released on 2017-10-25Jailed pending trial over suspected links to the FETÖ media network. He was accused of “being a member of a terror group” and of “participating in a coup attempt.”[30]
Zeynep KurayBirGünreporter2017-10-25Detained at her residence in Istanbul during a police raid and was taken to a police headquarters on Vatan Street. Her mobile phone was also seized. According to her sister, she was detained over her Facebook posts.[31]

Grounds for prosecution

Kemalist and / or nationalist journalists were arrested on charges referring to the Ergenekon case and several left-wing and Kurdish journalists were arrested on charges of engaging in propaganda for the PKK listed as a terrorist organization. The legal framework on organised crime and terrorism is imprecise and contains definitions which are open to abuse, leading to numerous indictments and convictions. Moreover, its interpretation by prosecutors and courts is uneven and is not in line with the European Convention on Human Rights or the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, according to the European Commission. No clear distinction is made between incitement to violence and the expression of nonviolent ideas. The application of Articles 6 and 7 of the Anti-Terror Law in combination with Articles 220 and 314 of the Turkish Criminal Code leads to abuses; in short, writing an article or making a speech can still lead to a court case and a long prison sentence for membership or leadership of a terrorist organisation. Together with possible pressure on the press by state officials and the threat of possible firing of critical journalists, this situation can lead to a widespread self-censorship. Frequent website bans are a cause for serious concern and there is a need to revise the law on the internet.[32]

Most journalists are in prison based on the following laws:

  • The Anti-Terror Law of Turkey (also known as Terörle Mücadele Yasası, TMY), Articles 5 and 7 relating to articles of the Criminal Code on terrorist offences and organizations or assisting members of or making propaganda in connection with such organizations, as well as the lengthening of sentences;
  • The Criminal Code of Turkey (also known as Türk Ceza Kanunu, TCK), Article 314 on establishing, commanding or becoming member of an armed organization with the aim of committing certain offences.[33]

3 types of journalists targeted

According to a report published by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Turkish authorities are engaging in widespread criminal prosecution and jailing of journalists, and are applying other forms of severe pressure to promote self-censorship in the press. The CPJ has found highly repressive laws, particularly in the penal code and anti-terror law; a criminal procedure code that greatly favors the state; and a harsh anti-press tone set at the highest levels of government. Turkey’s press freedom situation has reached a crisis point.[34] This reports mentions 3 types of journalists targeted:

  • investigative and critical reporters: victims of the anti-state prosecutions : The government’s broad inquiry into the Ergenekon plot ensnared investigative reporters. But the evidence, rather than revealing conspirators, points to a government intent on punishing critical reporters.
  • Kurdish journalists: Turkish authorities conflate support for the Kurdish cause with terrorism itself. When it comes to Kurdish journalists, newsgathering activities such as fielding tips, covering protests, and conducting interviews are evidence of a crime.
  • collateral damages of the general assault on the press: The authorities are waging one of the world’s biggest anti-press campaigns in recent history. Dozens of writers and editors are in prison, nearly all on terrorism or other anti-state charges.[34]

Concerns

Concerns persisted over the rights of the defence, lengthy pre-trial detention and excessively long and catch-all indictments, leading to significantly enhanced public scrutiny of the legitimacy of these trials.[32]

A report issued by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media[33] describes a number of concerns concerning the case of arrested journalists in Turkey:

  • Courts often impose exceptionally long imprisonment sentences. The longest conviction is 166 years and the longest jail sentence sought for a journalist is 3,000 years.
  • Many journalists face double life sentences if convicted, some without possibility for parole. Courts do not tend to grant pre-trial release of defendants.
  • There is concern that arrests and long pre-trial detentions without conviction are used as a form of intimidation.
  • Pre-trial detentions remain very long. In some cases journalists held in prison for up to three years are still awaiting trial. Some journalists have been imprisoned for more than five years while their trial is ongoing.
  • Journalists often face several trials and are often convicted for several offences. There is one journalist who faces 150 court cases.
  • Media outlets reporting about sensitive issues (including terrorism or anti-government activities) are often regarded by the authorities as the publishing organs of illegal organizations. Courts often consider reporting about such issues as equal to supporting them.
  • Journalists are often imprisoned in F-tipi cezaevi (F-type high security prisons), where they have to serve their time with the most dangerous criminals. It is also not uncommon to punish journalists with solitary confinement for extended time periods.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Committee to Protect Journalists 2014 prison census: 220 journalists jailed worldwide. Retrieved on October 8, 2012
  2. ↑ "Jailed and wanted journalists in Turkey". Stockholm Center for Freedom. SCF. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  3. ↑ "Journalism in Jail | Turkey Purge". turkeypurge.com. Retrieved 2017-02-12.
  4. ↑ The European Federation of Journalists List of journalists in Turkish prisons Archived 2012-09-24 at the Wayback Machine.. Retrieved on 8 October 2012
  5. ↑ Evrensel Gazeteci Karabeğ ve Çat’a tahliye Archived 2014-05-08 at the Wayback Machine., retrieved on 17 November 2012
  6. ↑ "KCK'den Biri Gazeteci 4 Kişiye Tahliye". Bianet. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2016 prison census: 259 journalists jailed worldwide". Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 "BIA Media Monitoring 2012 / Full Text". Bianet. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 Hürriyet Daily News Three journalists, including Füsun Erdoğan, released over duration of detention, retrieved on 08 May 2014
  10. 1 2 3 "Turkish courts release eight journalists in two days - Committee to Protect Journalists". cpj.org. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  11. ↑ Bianet Bedri Adanır Özgür, retrieved on 28 November 2012
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Kurdish journalists, media workers released in Turkey". Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  13. 1 2 CBC CBC News, CBC correspondents released from detention in Turkey, retrieved on 18 June 2013
  14. ↑ NOS Het weekend van Ebru Umar: opgepakt, vrijgelaten, maar nog niet vrij, retrieved on 1 May 2016
  15. ↑ "Turkish journalist on arrest of colleagues: 'After awhile it starts to feel like a Kafka novel'". Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  16. ↑ Williams, Yohuru (17 February 2015). "Speaking Truth to Power in Turkey: An Interview with Ekrem Dumanli". Huffington Post. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "KCK basın davasında gece yarısı tahliyesi". Cumhuriyet. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  18. ↑ "Adana'daki KCK davasında 2 tahliye". Hürriyet. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  19. ↑ Greenslade, Roy (Mar 5, 2015). "Turkish journalist arrested over military coup scoop he wrote in 2010". The Guardian.
  20. ↑ Bianet Devrimci Karargahta dört tahliye, retrieved on 9 October 2012
  21. 1 2 "Mustafa Balbay serbest!". Habertürk. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  22. ↑ "Gazeteci Ermiş Tahliye Edildi". Bianet. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  23. ↑ Bianet 34 tutukludan ikisine tahliye, retrieved on 16 November 2012
  24. ↑ Bianet Soner Yalçın, Imprisoned Journalist, Released, retrieved on 12 January 2013
  25. ↑ "6 akademisyen tahliye edildi". Cumhuriyet. 2017-02-17. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
  26. ↑ "Zeynep Kuray tahliye edildi". OdaTV. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  27. 1 2 Shaheen, Kareem (16 February 2018). "Turkey sentences journalists to life in jail over coup attempt". The Guardian.
  28. ↑ Turkish court releases prominent journalist Kadri Gürsel from jail
  29. ↑ Oltermann, Philip (1 March 2017). "Angela Merkel urged to ban Erdoğan over jailed German journalist" – via The Guardian.
  30. ↑ Istanbul court releases journalist Aksoy, singer Taş, teacher Aydın in Gülen-linked probe
  31. ↑ Police detain daily BirGün reporter Zeynep Kuray in Istanbul
  32. 1 2 The European Commission Turkey Progress Report 2012. Retrieved on 11 October 2012
  33. 1 2 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (April 2012). "Main findings of the table of imprisoned journalists in Turkey". The Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  34. 1 2 Committee to Protect Journalists Turkey's Press Freedom Crisis. Retrieved on October 22, 2012
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