18 journalists and media organizations made a joint statement regarding the arrests of journalists within the Artvin investigation. The statement emphasized that journalists Dicle Baştürk, Yavuz Akengin, Eylem Emel Yılmaz, Ozan Cırık and Metin Yoksu, who were taken into custody and arrested on charges of “illegal organization membership”, were charged for their news activities and the royalty payments they received.
Professional organizations said, “Journalism is not a crime. It is not a crime to report news, share news and receive royalties” and stated that the arrests are an open attack on freedom of the press. It was also reported that journalist Eylem Yılmaz had to sleep on the floor in prison due to lack of capacity.
The statement added that the charges against the journalists are vague and unlawful and that these practices aim to silence the press. It demanded the immediate release of the detained journalists.
MLSA, TGS, DİSK Basın-İş, ARTICLE 19, IFJ, EFJ and many other national and international press organizations signed the statement.
July 2, 2025
Mesopotamia Agency