Turkish authorities have detained multiple journalists while forcefully dispersing protests organized by Kurdish communities in cities including Şirnak, Istanbul, and Nusaybin. The demonstrations followed renewed clashes between Syrian government forces and Kurdish groups in Syria. At least one journalist has been formally arrested, while others remain in custody.
In Şırnak province, police detained Nedim Oruç, a reporter for the Kurdish-language outlet Ajansa Welat, on January 14. On January 17, a court ordered his pretrial detention on accusations of spreading terrorist propaganda, according to court documents and media reports reviewed by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Oruç stated to the authorities that he was present solely to report on the protest.
“It is unacceptable for journalists covering public events in Turkey to be detained and prevented from doing their work,” said Özgür Öğret, CPJ’s Turkey representative. “Authorities must immediately release all detained journalists, including Nedim Oruç. Reporting on protests is not a crime, and journalists play a vital role in informing the public.”
In the Nusaybin district of Mardin province, police broke up a march held in solidarity with Syrian Kurds and detained six journalists, according to media reports. CPJ confirmed the identities of three of those detained: Pelşin Çetinkaya of JİNNEWS, Heval Önkol of Mezopotamya News Agency, and Kesira Önel, co-chair of the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association.
Separately, in Istanbul, authorities detained French freelance journalist Raphaël Boukandoura on January 19 while he was covering a rally organized by the pro-Kurdish DEM Party. His lawyers told CPJ that he was transferred to a deportation center the following day, despite having lived in Turkey since 2015 and holding a valid work permit. He was released on January 21.
Free Press Alliance condemns the detention, harassment, and criminalization of journalists covering protests and political developments in Turkey. Targeting reporters for documenting public demonstrations constitutes a serious violation of international standards of freedom of expression and the public’s right to information. Turkish authorities must immediately release all journalists detained for their reporting, drop politically motivated charges, and guarantee that members of the press can work freely, safely, and without fear of reprisal.