Deniz Tekin
The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) has filed an individual application with Turkey’s Constitutional Court on behalf of journalist Bilal Seçkin, contesting judicial control measures, including a travel ban and mandatory police check-ins. The application argues that these measures have a chilling effect on press freedom and hinder Seçkin’s ability to carry out his work as a journalist.
In its petition, the MLSA emphasized that Seçkin has been working as a journalist and photojournalist for both national and international media outlets since 2012. The investigation against him, according to the filing, is rooted in his journalistic activities. The petition claims that the allegations against Seçkin were not substantiated, and his reporting was treated as a criminal act, leading to judicial control orders. Citing the Constitutional Court’s earlier ruling in the case of journalist Cemil Uğur, the MLSA stressed that freelance work for news outlets cannot be grounds for criminal charges.
Violation of fundamental rights
The MLSA contends that the judicial control orders, including the travel ban, violate Seçkin’s right to freedom of expression, as protected under the Turkish Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The travel ban, it noted, is particularly burdensome given the frequent international travel required by Seçkin’s profession. The measures, the petition argues, constitute disproportionate interference with press freedom and foster self-censorship.
The MLSA also highlighted the seizure of Seçkin’s work-related equipment during a police raid at his home, which significantly hampers his ability to conduct journalistic and photojournalistic work. It described these actions as an infringement on Seçkin’s personal liberty, security, and freedom of movement.
The confidentiality order placed on the investigation file further compounded these violations, according to the petition. Seçkin was reportedly forced to defend himself during police and prosecutor interrogations, as well as during the Criminal Judgeship of Peace hearings, without knowing the specific charges against him. The MLSA noted that objections to the judicial control orders were rejected without adequate justification, violating Seçkin’s right to a fair trial under Article 36 of the Turkish Constitution and Article 6 of the ECHR.
The MLSA has requested the Constitutional Court to issue interim measures to lift the judicial control orders and restore Seçkin’s rights to freedom of expression and press freedom.
Background of the investigation
On Nov. 26, 2024, several journalists, writers, and other media workers were detained in house raids across multiple provinces, including Ankara, Istanbul, and Batman, as part of a broad investigation. Authorities targeted individuals for preparing articles, reports, and photographs for Yeni Özgür Politika, a Europe-based newspaper, and PolitikArt magazine.
Bilal Seçkin, along with journalists Erdoğan Alayumat, Suzan Demir, Havin Derya, Serap Güneş, Tuğçe Yılmaz, Bilge Aksu, and Mehmet Uçar, was detained and later transferred to Eskişehir, where the investigation is based. Separately, in Diyarbakır and Adıyaman, other journalists and media workers, including Mezopotamya Journalists Association Chair Roza Metina, journalist Ahmet Sümbül, and filmmaker Ardin Diren, were also detained.
While some suspects, including Seçkin, were released under judicial control measures such as travel bans, others, including Hamza Kaan and Mehmet Uçar, were arrested on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization."
Additional individuals implicated in the investigation, such as journalist Medine Mamedoğlu and writer-translator Ömer Barasi, were later released without restrictions.
The MLSA's application underscores the chilling effect of such measures on press freedom in Turkey, a country already facing significant scrutiny over its treatment of journalists and media workers.
