Three journalists who were jailed while covering protests in Istanbul have been released following an appeal by their lawyers. AFP photojournalist Yasin Akgül, freelance photojournalist Bülent Kılıç, and journalist Zeynep Kuray were detained while reporting on demonstrations that erupted after the detention of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.
The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), which is providing legal representation for the journalists, filed an appeal on March 26. A court granted the appeal on the morning of March 27, ordering the release of Akgül, Kuray, and Kılıç. All three are expected to be freed later today.
The journalists had been arrested on March 25 on charges of violating Turkey’s Law No. 2911 on Assemblies and Demonstrations.
They were among several journalists detained in connection with the same case. Others still in custody include reporters Kurtuluş Arı, Ali Onur Tosun, Hayri Tunç, and Gökhan Kam.
Background
On March 23 and 24, protests broke out in Istanbul and the western city of Izmir following the police detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul and a prominent member of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). İmamoğlu has frequently clashed with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and has been a central figure in the opposition’s push for greater political accountability.
A total of 11 journalists were detained while covering the demonstrations — eight in Istanbul and three in Izmir. Several of the detained journalists were working for national and international news outlets.
Although seven of the journalists were initially released after being brought to Istanbul Courthouse on March 25, prosecutors objected to their release. The court later reversed the decision and issued arrest warrants the same day, leading to their imprisonment.
