JINNEWS News Director Öznur Değer is facing an investigation for her report titled "Criminal complaint filed against commander Kamil Aksoy, perpetrator of torture in Nisêbîn," accused of "targeting an individual involved in counter-terrorism efforts." The investigation, initiated after a complaint from Aksoy, was launched by the Mardin Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and later transferred to the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Değer gave her statement at the Diyarbakır Anti-Terror Branch on October 14.
Speaking to the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), Değer criticized the investigation as an attempt to criminalize her journalistic work. She emphasized that her report was based on eyewitness accounts and local sources, which corroborated that Kamil Aksoy was responsible for ordering torture and subjecting women to verbal harassment in the village. "Through my investigations and interviews, I learned that Commander Kamil Aksoy was responsible for the torture and harassment and that this was not his first offense in the area. While a criminal complaint was filed against him, I reported on the events to bring the truth to light," she said. Shortly after, her report was blocked, and months later, the investigation was opened following Aksoy’s complaint.
Değer pointed out the increasing pressure on journalists in Turkey, noting that "journalists face constant harassment from the judiciary and law enforcement. We experience police violence, have our equipment damaged, face insults, and are frequently investigated or imprisoned for our reporting."
Despite the relentless pressure, Değer stressed that her commitment to uncovering the truth remains unwavering. "Every day we face new investigations or prosecutions, but this will not stop our pursuit of truth. Wherever repression grows, we will make our pens stronger and freer. The free press will not give up its stance, and we will continue to reveal the truth to society," she concluded.
