İsmail Arı shares letter written from prison by jailed journalist Selahattin Günday

Journalist İsmail Arı shared a letter on his X account written from prison by his jailed colleague, Selahattin Günday. In his letter, Günday denied the accusations against him and argued that he was being targeted due to his journalistic activities.

Writing from the Silivri No. 1 L-Type Closed Penal Institution, Günday stated that his freedom had been taken away 13 days ago. In his letter, he used the expressions, "I have been subjected to unfair, unlawful, and even hostile treatment that I cannot make sense of."

GÜNDAY DENIED THE ACCUSATIONS

Günday argued that he was being held responsible for footage he claimed he did not record, and that these allegations had reached the statute of limitations. He alleged that following his expectation of release, and just hours after his appeal petition was filed, he was arrested for a second time on charges of "establishing a criminal organization."

Criticizing the judicial interrogation process, Günday claimed that despite having three lawyers, authorities attempted to take his statement with a lawyer from the bar association whom he did not know. Günday stated that upon his insistence, his lawyer Hüseyin Ersöz was notified, and his lawyer Buse Şahin was able to arrive in time for the interrogation.

"I am a journalist; I am neither the perpetrator of a crime nor the leader of a criminal organization. Throughout my life, I have strived not to compromise professional principles. I stand behind all the news reports I have signed."

Touching upon messages of support in his letter, Günday said he believes that what is happening will one day come to an end. Declaring "I am not afraid," Günday stated that he would continue to defend the profession of journalism and the news reports he has produced.