Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporters Semra Turan, Delal Akyüz and Tolga Güney, JINNEWS reporter Melike Aydın, Gazete Duvar Reporter Cihan Başakçıoğlu and Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) press worker Fatma Funda Akbulut, who were detained during a house raid in Izmir on February 13, was referred to the prosecutor's office after their procedures at the police station.

 

The journalists, who were referred to the Izmir Bayraklı Courthouse Criminal Court of Peace on Duty with a request for arrest, were accused of the statements of the secret and open witness Buse Aslan, which formed the basis of the investigation file, as well as the news they made and the telephone conversations they made with news sources. The journalists were accused of "membership in a terrorist organization". Thereupon, the defending journalists denied the accusations and stated that they were engaged in journalistic activities.

 

HOUSE ARREST FOR 4 JOURNALISTS

 

Following their statements, the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on Duty released Semra Turan and Cihan Başakçıoğlu on condition of judicial control, and Delal Akyüz, Melike Aydın, Tolga Güney and Fatma Funda Akbulut were released under house arrest.

The journalists were welcomed by their families, friends, colleagues and many citizens. The crowd frequently chanted slogans such as "Free press cannot be silenced."

 

'OUR NEWS HAS BEEN MADE THE SUBJECT OF ACCUSATION'

 

Journalist Semra Turan emphasized that an unlawful act has been committed for four days and stated that an investigation file has been prepared on fabricated grounds. Turan said: “We were tried for the news we made. The ecology news we make is also the news we make about March 8 Women's Day, but the most extreme thing is that even our news about the abuse case of a child with autism has become the subject of investigation. We were asked about the news we had made regarding the solution of the Kurdish issue. We write about what is happening in this country. We are subject to detentions and arrests because of our writing. Especially our agencies are being tried to be criminalized."

 

'JOURNALISM IS BEING ON TRIAL'

 

Stating that journalism is on trial, Turan said: “There is a very serious pressure, especially on the Kurdish press. Kurd journalists shed light on the real issue of this country. We have stated this many times. We carry the legacy we received from the Ape Musas to this day. We say it once again here. They will not be able to intimidate the free press. The free press cannot be silenced. Bijî çapameniye azad (Long live free press), Long live the resistance of Kurd journalists."