TGC statement on Murat Ağırel and Timur Soykan: 'Journalism is not a crime'

The Board of Directors of the Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC) has demanded the release of Timur Soykan and Murat Ağırel, who were detained following raids on their homes at 06:00 on April 10, 2025.

The following views were included in the statement by the TGC Board of Directors:

“We woke up to another day with detention orders for journalists. Birgün columnist Timur Soykan and journalist Murat Ağırel were detained in raids on their homes. It has been learned that police teams searched the homes of both journalists and confiscated their phones and computers. Timur Soykan, the recipient of the 2024 TGC Press Freedom Award, and TGC member Murat Ağırel are journalists. Attempting to pressure and intimidate journalists through constant detention practices is an interference with the public's right to receive information. We protest the detention of our colleagues. We want them to be released as soon as possible. Our colleagues must not be prevented from practicing journalism. The practice of unfairly branding journalists as criminals, detaining them from their homes or workplaces in violation of the law, arresting them, and obstructing the public's right to information must be abandoned. Journalism is not a crime.”

WHY WERE SOYKAN AND AĞIREL DETAINED?

As part of an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, journalists Murat Ağırel and Timur Soykan were detained in a dawn operation on charges of "threat" and "blackmail."

Journalist Şule Aydın reported that police teams searched the homes of Soykan and Ağırel.

"DETENTION MEASURE DEEMED NECESSARY"

In the detention order, the Prosecutor's Office stated, "Due to the penalty amount required by the alleged crime, the possibility of the suspects fleeing and destroying, altering, or concealing evidence, and the existence of sufficient evidence and indications against them, the measure of detention has been deemed necessary."

PROCEEDINGS INITIATED UPON COMPLAINT BY ERKAN KORK

The statement made by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is as follows:

"In the investigation conducted regarding money laundering crimes, an investigation has been initiated under the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) articles 106/1 (Threat) and 107/1 (Blackmail) regarding the actions attributed to the relevant individuals, following the complaint by those who are suspects in the investigation, alleging that Murat Ağırel and Timur Soykan threatened and blackmailed them regarding the transfer and purchase of the television channel named Flaş Haber TV. The investigation, including detention, search, and seizure procedures against the suspects, is ongoing."

It has been learned that Soykan and Ağırel were taken to the hospital for a health check.

FIRST STATEMENT FROM MURAT AĞIREL'S LAWYER

On the other hand, it was learned that Timur Soykan and Murat Ağırel were detained in a dawn operation despite having notified the prosecutor's office that they would go to provide their statements today.

Murat Ağırel's lawyer, Enes Ermaner, made a statement regarding the matter.

"The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office carried out a detention procedure against journalists Murat Ağırel and Timur Soykan this morning, despite knowing that we would come to provide statements today, and both journalists were detained after searches and seizures were conducted at their residences.

Applying a detention procedure against individuals who have scheduled an appointment for a statement and are known to be coming to provide one is not only unlawful but also clearly demonstrates the application of Enemy Criminal Law. 

Both journalists are being taken to the Vatan Police Headquarters."

News Source: 12punto