The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) Legal Unit visited journalist Furkan Karabay at Marmara Closed Penal Institution on Nov. 13, following his arrest earlier in the month. Karabay, a reporter for 10Haber, was detained on charges of "targeting individuals involved in counter-terrorism efforts" due to his reporting and social media posts about the investigation into Esenyurt Mayor Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özer. Özer, a member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), had been removed from office and replaced by a government-appointed trustee.
Karabay was taken into custody on Nov. 8 and formally arrested on Nov. 9.
Karabay describes detention conditions
During the prison visit, Karabay shared details of his detention, describing the conditions in custody as degrading and "incompatible with human dignity." He highlighted the broader challenges faced by dissenting voices in Turkey, pointing to the lack of legal predictability in cases involving journalists.
Despite facing multiple lawsuits related to his reporting and social media activity, Karabay reaffirmed his commitment to journalism. "I will persist in doing journalism," he stated.
The case against Karabay is part of a broader trend in Turkey, where journalists critical of government actions or officials often face legal repercussions under terrorism-related charges. Rights groups have consistently criticized these prosecutions as attempts to silence independent reporting.
