Turkish Court Reverses Decision, Orders Formal Arrest of Journalist Covering Mass Protests
Journalist Detained and Charged with Participating in Illegal Rallies and Failing to Disperse
ISTANBUL: An Istanbul court on Tuesday ordered the formal arrest of an AFP photographer who had been detained after covering mass protests, reversing an earlier decision to grant him conditional release, his lawyer said.
Photographer Yasin Akgul Charged with Illegal Rallies and Failing to Disperse
Photographer Yasin Akgul, who was arrested at his home before dawn on Monday, was charged with "taking part in illegal rallies and marches and failing to disperse despite warnings", court documents showed. The move was condemned as "scandalous" by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) press watchdog.
Journalist Arrested as Part of Larger Crackdown on Media
Akgul was one of 10 Turkish journalists rounded up early on Monday after days of covering the mass protests that began in Istanbul and spread across Turkey following the March 19 arrest of the city’s opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The protests were sparked by concerns over press freedom and the erosion of democratic norms in Turkey.
Conditional Release Reversed in Shocking Turn of Events
On Tuesday morning, he and six other journalists were taken to Caglayan courthouse where they were granted conditional release. However, in what legal observers described as an "unprecedented" U-turn, prosecutors suddenly revised their request and asked that the court order his formal arrest, his lawyer said. It was not immediately clear whether the other six journalists also had their conditional release orders reversed.
Repercussions for Press Freedom in Turkey
"This is the first time that a clearly-identified journalist has, in the exercise of his duties, been formally arrested on the basis of this law against gatherings and demonstrations," RSF’s Erol Onderoglu told AFP. "This scandalous decision reflects a very serious situation in Turkey."
Conclusion
The arrest of Yasin Akgul is a worrying development for press freedom in Turkey. As a journalist, he was simply doing his job, covering a story of public interest and importance. The fact that he has been arrested for doing so sends a chilling message to other journalists in Turkey and around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was Yasin Akgul arrested?
A: He was arrested for "taking part in illegal rallies and marches and failing to disperse despite warnings".
Q: What was he covering at the time of his arrest?
A: He was covering the mass protests that began in Istanbul and spread across Turkey following the March 19 arrest of the city’s opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Q: What is the current state of press freedom in Turkey?
A: Press freedom is under threat in Turkey, with many journalists facing arrest, imprisonment, and harassment for doing their jobs.