A Turkish court has ordered the release of three journalists, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgul, who were detained for covering the recent unrest in Turkey. The move comes after widespread international condemnation, including from the United Nations, and mounting pressure on the Turkish government to respect press freedom.
The Turkish journalists were arrested on March 19, following the detention of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The arrests were part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures and journalists, sparking mass protests across Turkey.
Turkish photojournalist Yasin Akgul was arrested along with 10 other journalists, including reporters and photographers, while covering the protests in Istanbul. The protests were sparked by the detention of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Akgul and the other detained journalists were charged with “participating in illegal rallies and marches” and “failing to disperse despite warnings.” However, many believe that the charges are trumped up and that the journalists were simply doing their job.
The detention of the journalists sparked widespread international condemnation, with the United Nations, the European Union, and human rights organizations calling for their immediate release. The Turkish Photojournalists Union denounced the arrests as “unlawful, unconscionable and unacceptable”.
Turkey has a poor record on press freedom, ranking 158 out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index. Many journalists in Turkey face detention, prosecution, and intimidation, making it difficult for them to report on sensitive topics.
The international community has played a crucial role in securing the release of the detained journalists. The United Nations, the European Union, and human rights organizations have all called for their immediate release, putting pressure on the Turkish government to respect press freedom.
The release of the detained journalists is a positive step, but concerns remain about the treatment of journalists in Turkey. The international community must continue to pressure the Turkish government to respect press freedom and ensure that journalists can report on sensitive topics without fear of detention or prosecution.