Germany-based newspaper TAZ has reported on the arrest of journalist Elif Akgül, who was detained on Feb. 18 during police raids targeting the People's Democratic Congress (HDK) and later jailed.
In the article by Ali Çelikkan, TAZ highlights Akgül’s long-standing commitment to press freedom, stating:
"Elif Akgül, who has shaped her journalism career through the struggle for press freedom, spent years covering trials against her fellow journalists in Turkey. But now, she has become part of the very cases she reported on. She was taken into custody after a police raid on her home in Istanbul in the early morning and, four days later, was arrested by the court on Feb. 22."
Arrest based on an old investigation
The article details that Akgül’s imprisonment is linked to her participation in a democratic meeting 14 years ago. She was accused of attending an HDK event at the time and was also questioned about her coverage of the Gezi Park protests and May Day demonstrations. Past journalistic activities were cited as evidence in an investigation alleging "membership in a terrorist organization."
During her interrogation, Akgül refuted the accusations, arguing that they were legally baseless and that her phone had been unlawfully wiretapped.
Akgül: "Now it’s our turn"
Akgül sent a message through her lawyer, stating that she remains in good spirits despite her arrest.
"Now it’s our turn to go to prison in Turkey. I hope this will be the last time. See you soon," she said.
TAZ also highlighted Akgül’s extensive work in journalism, particularly in covering women’s rights, press freedom, and freedom of expression. The article noted that she won an award in 2017 for a series of articles on Hrant Dink, a prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist assassinated in 2007. Akgül has worked for various independent media outlets for years.
Background
Elif Akgül has been working as a journalist since 2012. She was a reporter for the now-shuttered IMC TV and later covered freedom of expression issues for Bianet. Most recently, she was working as a freelance journalist for international media outlets.
Her arrest is part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures in Turkey. The latest wave of detentions and arrests under the HDK investigation targeted journalists, artists, and politicians. Opposition parties and press organizations have condemned the criminalization of journalistic activities and have called for Akgül and other imprisoned journalists to be released.
