We condemn the arrest of journalists Ruken Demir and Melike Aydın

TURKEY, Istanbul, November 16, 2019 — Our colleagues Jinnews reporter Melike Aydın and Mesopotamia Agency reporter Ruken Demir have been arrested for ‘carrying out activity on behalf of terrorist organisation’ after their detention on November 12. We are alarmed by this development.

Mesopotamia Agency reporter Ruken Demir and Jinnews reporter Melike Aydın were detained and their homes were raided in Izmir on November 12. We find it troubling that their equipment, including their phones had been confiscated at the time. We condemn the fact that they were banned from seeing their lawyers for 24 hours after being detained. You can read our full statement here.

We have learned that an investigation carried out by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office resulted in several women journalists being charged with “conducting activities on behalf of a terrorist organization” after their houses were raided and they were detained. This includes Demir and Aydın. The two have been transferred to Izmir Aliaga Sakran Women’s Closed Prison.

Selma Altan, Mazlum Koç, Ramazan Yavuz, Sait Bahadır, Murat Tufan, İsmail Akbay, Şeyhmus Dağhan, Hasan Hayri Dikilitaş, and Hediye Tekin, who are members of Aid Association for Prisoner and Convicted Families (TUHAY-DER), were also arrested as part of the same operation. Mehmet Gergin who is a member of the association was released, but has been placed under an international travel ban.

TUHAY-DER Co-Chair Ahmet Ertaş, who made a brief statement in front of the courthouse, said that they will not give in to pressure. Referring to the unlawfulness of the arrest warrant, he said “We do not agree with this decision.” He asked for his friends to be released immediately.

At CFWIJ, we are following the treatment being meted out to women journalists closely. We condemn the raids and the arrests that have followed, and demand the urgent release of our colleagues.

The news of some women journalists being released from prison gave us hope that the Turkish authorities would allow press freedom to prevail in the country. However, this new crackdown signals troubling times ahead for women journalists in the country.

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The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world, and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

For more information please visit www.womeninjournalism.org.

Press Inquiries: press@womeninjournalism.org

Turkey & MENA Coordinator: damla@womeninjournalism.org.