The recent detention of Kurdish journalists in Izmir has brought to light the concerning interrogation practices by Turkish authorities, particularly focusing on their journalistic activities. On 13 February, journalists from Mezopotamya Agency and JINNEWS, among others, were detained and subjected to questioning that scrutinised their professional conduct.
The detained journalists were brought to the courthouse at 8:00 am local time on Friday, and handcuffed from behind, a method usually avoided except for political dissidents. They were subjected to this uncomfortable condition for four hours, as reported by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA).
Lawyers present at the courthouse, representing various human rights and legal organisations including the Human Rights Association (İHD), MLSA and the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), urgently requested the public prosecutor to remove the reverse handcuffs. The request was eventually granted.
During the interrogations, journalists were asked about their news reports, sources and even phone conversations, raising alarms about the infringement on press freedom. The questions extended to their coverage of workers’ protests and public demonstrations, as well as their social media activities and associations with other journalists.
One striking aspect of the interrogation was the attempt to link routine journalistic activities, such as reporting on environmental issues or workers’ rights, with “organisational activities”, in an attempt to link their professional conduct to an impending terror charge. This approach has sparked debate over the extent to which the state can probe into the professional duties of journalists under the guise of counterterrorism.
The questioning also delved into the journalists’ personal lives, asking about their political affiliations, travel history and even possession of passports or driver’s licenses, which seemed disconnected from their professional responsibilities. The questions have reinforced the concerns about the criminalisation of journalism in Turkey, especially when reporting on sensitive topics like Kurdish rights or political dissent.
Legal representatives from organisations like the MLSA and the İHD have condemned the detentions as an assault on journalistic freedom. They argue that treating news gathering and reporting as suspect activities undermines the fundamental role of the press in a democratic society.
