Transferred from Metris to Silivri: New statement from imprisoned journalist Fatih Ergin

Journalist Fatih Ergin, who was arrested on Monday due to a social media post, reacted to his arrest in a statement made from the Silivri Marmara No. 1 L-Type Penal Institution.

Speaking to Cumhuriyet, Ergin stated that reports with the same content were published by other media outlets as well, and that his being the only one arrested was legally unacceptable. Ergin said, "My arrest shows once again that the rule of law has been destroyed in Turkey."

Stating that he had presented the basis for his report, Ergin challenged the decision with the words, "Despite many media outlets publishing the same report with the same information, only I was arrested. Moreover, even though I proved the source of my report."

Ergin said that another issue directed at him in the file was that an anonymous account had quoted his post. The journalist stated that posts on social media can be quoted with different interpretations and objected to being held responsible for this situation.

Explaining that the prosecutor evaluated this quoted post within the scope of "misleading the public," Ergin said, "However, every comment and news report on social media can be quoted and twisted. Ministers' posts are also quoted in this way. If that's the case, then no one can write or draw anything."

Regarding his situation in prison, Ergin said, "Look at fate, I ended up in the same prison where Kâşif Kozinoğlu stayed because of a report about him." The imprisoned journalist said that the inmates and some staff in the prison also found it difficult to understand why he was there.

News Source: 12punto