Eylem Sonbahar
Prosecutors in Turkey have filed an indictment against 14 individuals, including seven journalists and two politicians, for participating in a banned press statement in Istanbul on Dec. 21, 2024. The charges include "making terrorist propaganda" and "participating in unlawful meetings and marches without dispersing despite warnings." The indictment also criminalizes carrying photos of slain journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin.
The press statement was organized by journalist groups Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG), Mesopotamia Women Journalists Association (MKG), and the Journalists Union of Turkey (DİSK Basın-İş). Police arrested several participants during the event at Şişhane Square, Istanbul, detaining seven journalists and two politicians. Among the journalists currently in custody are Can Papila, Gülistan Dursun, Pınar Gayıp, Serpil Ünal, Hayri Tunç, Muhammet Enes Sezgin, and Osman Akın. Politicians Hacı Ugış and İmam Şenol are also in detention. The indictment includes a total of 14 individuals, with three people being investigated without pre-trial detention.
Police allege "aggressive behavior" during the protest
The indictment, dated Jan. 23, 2025, was prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. It claims that law enforcement warned participants to disperse but were met with "aggressive behavior" and continued chanting of slogans such as "Free Press Cannot Be Silenced," "We Will Win Through Resistance," and "Nazım Daştan, Cihan Bilgin Are Immortal." Police reportedly used "proportional force" to detain the individuals who refused to comply with the dispersal orders.
Prosecutors also cited a ban imposed by the Beyoğlu District Governor’s Office on all demonstrations on the day of the press statement, alleging that social media posts promoting the event used language that "targeted and demeaned the Turkish state and armed forces." Two police officers involved in the operation have also filed complaints, claiming they were insulted during the protest.
Photos of Bilgin and Daştan cited as evidence
The indictment alleges that carrying photos of Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, journalists who were reportedly killed, constitutes a crime. According to the indictment, an archival investigation found records of their alleged affiliation with the "PKK/KCK-PYD/YPG armed terrorist organization." This was presented as evidence to support the accusations of "making terrorist propaganda."
Prosecutors have demanded that the journalists and politicians face charges for promoting terrorism and participating in an unlawful gathering. Additionally, Yağmur Filiz, another individual involved, is accused of insulting police officers and faces charges of "insult."
