Journalist Erdoğan Alayumat was detained in the early hours of Nov. 26 after police raided his home in Istanbul. Held at Vatan Police Headquarters, Alayumat reported being subjected to a strip search despite protesting the practice as a violation of human rights.
The Media and Law Studies Association’s (MLSA) Legal Unit, which is representing Alayumat, stated it would challenge the legality of his detention, the strip search, and the secrecy order imposed on the case.
Alayumat’s statement: "We will keep saying journalism is not a crime"
Speaking through MLSA’s Legal Unit, Alayumat condemned the treatment he has faced:
“Journalism woke up to another attack today. On Nov. 25, I was assaulted by the police while covering the disproportionate force used during protests in Istanbul. Today, I am in custody, caught in the judiciary’s grip. We will keep telling everyone that journalism is not a crime, and we will not stop until those at the top understand this.”
Allegations of procedural violations
MLSA lawyers noted several procedural violations in Alayumat’s case, including:
- Strip search: Alayumat reported being forced to undergo a strip search at Vatan Police Headquarters despite his objections.
- Secrecy order: Lawyers have been denied access to case files under a secrecy order, which MLSA described as a breach of the right to defense.
- Arbitrary searches and seizures: The raid on Alayumat’s home allegedly violated constitutional protections of privacy and home inviolability.
- Unshared warrants: Authorities did not provide Alayumat or his lawyers with the warrants for his detention, search, or seizure, further raising concerns about arbitrary actions.
Broader crackdown on journalists
Alayumat’s detention is part of a series of coordinated operations across multiple provinces that resulted in the detention of at least eight journalists. These actions are being criticized as part of an ongoing pattern of targeting journalists under the guise of combating terrorism.
MLSA’s response and legal action
The MLSA Legal Unit announced plans to file appeals against Alayumat’s detention, search, and the secrecy order on his case. In a statement, they said:
- “The secrecy order violates the right to a fair defense and is a blatant example of arbitrary restrictions on press freedom under the pretext of anti-terrorism measures.”
- “We will argue that the search and seizure orders are baseless and arbitrary. These actions violate constitutional protections and should be reversed.”
MLSA reiterated its call for Alayumat’s immediate release and demanded that all restrictions on his legal defense team be lifted.
Press freedom concerns
The organization highlighted that similar cases in the past have shown how journalistic activities are often misrepresented as criminal actions. MLSA emphasized that interference with press freedom must meet concrete and reasonable legal standards, a principle often overlooked in these prosecutions.
Alayumat’s case is being closely monitored by rights organizations and raises further concerns about the erosion of press freedoms in Turkey.
