On the morning of 10 April, journalists Timur Soykan of BirGün and Murat Ağırel of Cumhuriyet were arrested following early morning police raids on their homes. The arrests are linked to allegations of “threats” and “blackmail” made by Erkan Kork, the owner of Flash TV and Bank Pozitif, who is currently under arrest for money laundering offences.
Both journalists were reportedly preparing to give voluntary statements to the prosecutor on the day of their arrest. Their homes were searched and digital equipment, including computers and hard drives, confiscated. After the medical examinations, Timur Soykan said: “The gangs will lose, the people will win. This conspiracy, it will all come to an end.”
The case stems from allegations made by Erkan Kork, who claims that he was subjected to undue pressure by Ağırel and Soykan during the process of acquiring Flash TV. Kork’s allegations have become a focus of the ongoing investigation.
In response to the arrests, the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party issued a strong condemnation via its official social media account. The tweet read: “Unfortunately, Turkey woke up this morning to a dawn operation targeting journalists. The arrest of journalists Timur Soykan and Murat Ağırel is a clear intervention in the freedom of the press, freedom of expression and access to information. Journalism is not a crime. The attempt to use the rod of justice to stifle critical thought is unacceptable. Turkey must rid itself of this shame. Journalists must be able to carry out their duties freely and without pressure.”
The incident has drawn sharp reactions from various political figures. Republican People’s Paty (CHP) General Vice-President Burhanettin Bulut criticised the arrests saying, “The real aim is to intimidate journalists and the free press”. Similarly, the mayor of Ankara, Mansur Yavaş, expressed his disapproval, stressing that the detention of journalists who were about to give voluntary statements reflected a wider problem of the suppression of freedom of expression.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the actions, stating that detaining journalists for their work violates the public’s right to information. Erol Önderoğlu, RSF’s Turkey representative, said, “These journalists investigate crime, corruption, and legal abuses. Detaining them undermines justice and the principles of a transparent society. Silencing journalists won’t erase the truth. This pressure must stop.”
For now, both Soykan and Ağırel remain in custody, with their legal teams challenging the grounds for their detention. The case has fuelled debate about press freedom and the independence of the judiciary in Turkey.
