Aziz Oruç
Journalist Abdullah Kaya, who works in Diyadin, Ağrı, has reported being repeatedly threatened by a local police chief. Kaya has filed a criminal complaint against the police chief with the Diyadin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Kaya explained that the threats began in 2023 when he was detained for reporting on an armed village guard entering a school during the General Elections. He was subsequently threatened again on July 4 while covering a press statement about the appointment of a trustee to Hakkari Municipality. The most recent threat occurred on July 17 when Kaya was passing by the Diyadin District Police Department.
Journalist Kaya: 'I have been threatened three times by the same police chief'
Kaya recounted the incidents to the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), describing how the police chief, identified as U.Ç., had threatened him on three separate occasions.
"On May 19, I was detained before the May 14 Parliamentary Elections for reporting on a village guard. At the police station, the chief U.Ç. attacked me, saying, 'I will tear your head off, you'll be done for.' Officers had to intervene and force him back into his office. On June 4, following the appointment of a trustee to Hakkari Municipality, a press statement was made in front of the DEM Party Diyadin district office. Again, the same police chief threatened and removed me in front of the municipal and district co-chairs."
Kaya: 'If anything happens to me, the police chief is responsible'
Kaya detailed the most recent incident: "On July 17, around 5:30 PM, I was walking home with shopping bags. The police chief U.Ç. was standing on the main street in front of the police station. A taxi passed by me closely, so I turned to look at the car. The chief yelled at me, 'Why are you glaring at me? I will tear your head off.' I told him I was looking at the car, not him. He then yelled, 'Don't ever look at me again, or I will break something,' and started to approach me aggressively. At that moment, about ten police officers rushed out from the station and forcibly took the chief inside. If anything happens to me after these threats, the Diyadin police chief U.Ç. is solely responsible."
The truth will not remain in the dark
Kaya emphasized his longstanding commitment to journalism and his role as a voice for the local community. He mentioned that he has faced numerous threats, detentions, and arrests in the past for his reporting.
"The Kurdish press, as the free press, has always been targeted for fulfilling its responsibility without bowing down, from Apê Musa to today. The free press will continue to uphold this tradition without compromising the truth. Working in Kurdish and free press means constantly facing oppression, imprisonment, and torture. The so-called press and journalists who flatter the system also attack us together with the system."
Call for solidarity among journalists
Kaya stressed the difficulty of being a journalist in Turkey, noting the constant detentions, arrests, and threats. Despite these challenges, he vowed to continue his profession to ensure that "the truth does not remain in the dark" and called for solidarity among journalists.
"Journalists need to raise a united voice against threats and arrests. Let's not stay silent; let's speak out together," Kaya urged. He also mentioned that he would continue to file complaints against those responsible through his lawyers and has informed human rights organizations and civil society groups about the threats and attacks he has faced.
