DENİZ TEKİN
An investigation has been launched against journalist Fırat Bulut for "publicly disseminating misleading information," - also called the censorship law -- following his social media posts and quoting a news report by the French press agency Agence France-Presse (AFP). The posts highlighted questions about the Turkish state-funded disaster management agency AFAD packages and bags found at positions held by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Syria.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Bulut, who is currently abroad and unable to provide a statement.
Bulut, already facing charges under the "censorship law" for reporting on a fire and riot in Elbistan E-Type Prison, which the Ministry of Justice and Elbistan Chief Public Prosecutor's Office kept from public knowledge, is now under investigation for the same accusation.
The investigation, initiated by the Cyber Crimes Division of the Gaziantep Provincial Security Directorate during their "virtual patrol activity" on the internet, alleges that Bulut disseminated misleading information through his X account. The findings were documented and sent to the Bingöl Directorate of Security, where he previously resided. Following the report to the Bingöl Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an investigation was launched under Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), accusing Bulut of "publicly disseminating misleading information." The Prosecutor's Office ordered the preparation of a new research report regarding Bulut's social media posts and his statement as a suspect.
Alleged 'Misleading Information' in Posts Criticizing Torture and Mistreatment of Refugees
The Bingöl Directorate of Security's report listed five separate social media posts by Bulut from August-September 2023 as criminal evidence. Notably, a photograph of bags marked "AFAD" (Republic of Turkey Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency) at FSA positions, which Bulut commented, "Aid bags meant for earthquake victims have gone to jihadists. So many bags have been sent that they have been used to build positions..." was indicated as evidence. Other incriminating posts include quoting a DW Turkish report based on AFP about Syrian refugees being sent to Libya, footage of soldiers mistreating Syrian refugees, and posts about human rights violations in Elazığ Prison.
Bulut's tweets criticizing IYI Party Gaziantep Deputy Mehmet Mustafa Gürban, who used terms like "be smart" and "provocateur" against participants and supporters of worker protests at Şireci Textile, were also cited as evidence.
Prosecutor's Request Leads to Arrest Warrant by Peace Criminal Judgeship
On November 3, 2023, the Prosecutor conducting the investigation applied to the Bingöl Peace Criminal Judgeship for an arrest warrant for Bulut to obtain his statement regarding the "public dissemination of misleading information" charges. The Judgeship, noting Bulut's failure to respond to calls for a statement and his unreachability, issued the arrest warrant. It was decided that Bulut would be released after his statement was taken.
The investigation will be completed following Bulut's statement against the allegations, once he returns from abroad.
'Police's Virtual Patrol Authority Canceled, Procedure Is Illegal'
Bulut spoke about the investigation and the social media posts that led to the accusations. He reminded that the Constitutional Court canceled the legal provision granting police the authority for virtual patrols on the internet in 2020, stating, "As you can see, despite the lack of authority for online monitoring or patrolling, they have conducted this operation illegally."
'Our Duty Is to Ask Why These AFAD Bags Are in the Hands of Jihadists'
Bulut expressed concern over the investigation opened against him for his tweets, which he shared with documents and evidence: "We heavily criticized the inadequate response and aid during the earthquake. Yet, AFAD aid bags that should have gone to earthquake victims ended up with jihadists. In the video I shared, you can see AFAD bags being used for building positions. As journalists, it's our duty to ask why these AFAD bags are in the hands of jihadists. Quoting and sharing a documented report from the press agency AFP as 'spreading misleading information' is alarming. The other post considered a crime involves footage of soldiers beating and torturing Syrian refugees captured at the Syrian border. I quoted these images from the sensationalist Turancı Union's Telegram page, stating they were criminal. My solidarity tweet against the IYI Party deputy's labeling of journalists and politicians supporting workers' protests as 'terrorists' is also strangely considered criminal evidence."
'All Information and News Are Under Attack With the Censorship Law'
Bulut remarked, "The investigation against these tweets shows that those in power, wielding public authority, have declared war on all types of information and news without a source. With this censorship law, a war against all information, news, and truth has been declared." He added, "I had to leave the country because I couldn't practice my profession freely due to these unfair and illegal investigations and trials. Wouldn't a public official question how our AFAD bags ended up there?"
Finally, Bulut stated, "I'm not in Bingöl, not in Turkey. Therefore, security officers should not disturb my family. Harassing my family is a form of intimidation."
