On July 25, journalists Sibel Yükler, Fırat Can Arslan, and Delal Akyüz were detained over allegations of sharing news about Prosecutor Mehmet Karababa and his wife'# recent reassignment. Karababa is known for writing the indictment in a trial against 18 journalists in Diyarbakır, where 15 journalists were held in prison for 13 months on trumped-up charges of terrorism. During the trial, it was revealed that Karababa's wife, who was part of the panel of judges presiding over the case, was also reassigned to a new court by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors last week.
The journalists detained today had shared news reports about the couple's reassignments and are now facing charges of "making a person working in counter-terrorism a target." In addition to Yükler, Arslan, and Akyüz, Evrim Kepenek, an editor from Bianet, has also been taken into custody in relation to the same case. Meanwhile, journalist Evrim Deniz has been summoned for questioning in the ongoing investigation. According to lawyer Resul Temur, the investigation is being led by Ahmet Faruk Karakuş, another prosecutor with authority under the Anti-Terror Law. Temur also noted that the testimonies of journalists located outside the city will be taken via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS).
