Operation against journalists: Homes raided at dawn

In operations carried out early this morning in Istanbul, four journalists were detained as part of an Artvin-based investigation. Those detained include journalists Semra Pelek and Dicle Baştürk, Sendika.Org reporter Ozan Cırık, and translator Melisa Efe, who works for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) announced that the grounds for the detentions have not yet been clarified, but that the investigation is being conducted by the Artvin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

The first three individuals detained – Pelek, Baştürk, and Cırık – were taken during police raids on their homes in Istanbul. All three were taken to the Maslak Gendarmerie Station following health checks and it was reported that they would later be transferred to Artvin by road.

Later in the day, Melisa Efe, who works for the Germany-based Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and had a detention warrant issued against her, was also taken into custody. This brought the total number of detainees to four.

In a statement made by MLSA via social media, the following was noted:

“Journalists Semra Pelek, Dicle Baştürk, and Ozan Cırık were detained in raids on their homes in Istanbul as part of an Artvin-based investigation. The process is being monitored at the Maslak Gendarmerie Station.”

NO INFORMATION PROVIDED

While no official statement has been made by the authorities yet, details regarding the accusations directed at the journalists have not been disclosed to the public. MLSA stated that their lawyers are following the detention process and that they will inform the public as developments occur.

Rights defenders in the field of press and freedom of expression have called for the reason for the detentions to be explained as soon as possible and for journalistic activities not to be penalized.