International press organizations condemn threats against Turkish journalist Murat Ağırel
A coalition of 23 press and free speech organizations, including the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), have condemned ongoing threats against Turkish journalist Murat Ağırel. In a joint statement, the groups emphasized that the persistent intimidation against Ağırel constitutes a serious attack on press freedom and the safety of journalists in Turkey.
The statement noted that the threats and harassment aimed at Ağırel are the latest example of the significant risks faced by independent journalists in the country. The organizations urgently called on Turkish authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the threats and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Press freedom under threat: Ağırel faces rising intimidation
Threats against Ağırel and his family have escalated significantly over the past year:
- November 21, 2023: Ağırel reported receiving death threats on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) due to his investigations into Dilan and Engin Polat, a couple arrested on charges of money laundering and tax evasion.
- November 24, 2023: Hosts of the YouTube channel "Tactical Mania Plus," Nevzat Dindar and Alper Mert, accused Ağırel of defaming Galatasaray football club in his reporting on match-fixing allegations and threatened him during a live broadcast.
- November 29, 2023: In a live broadcast on Halk TV, Ağırel revealed that the threats had extended to his family, including death and rape threats against his wife, 12-year-old daughter, and sisters.
- May 10, 2024: Ağırel faced renewed threats following the release of his book Havala, which exposes drug trafficking and money laundering operations in Turkey. He reported being followed and that his house was under surveillance.
- June 12, 2024: On X, Ağırel shared that his home had been filmed, his garbage rifled through, and his car damaged. He stated that while police had identified and questioned some individuals, no legal action was taken after they denied monitoring him.
- June 21, 2024: A pro-government newspaper, Türkgün, targeted Ağırel and three other journalists in an article for their reporting on the murder case of Sinan Ateş, a former nationalist party figure.
- July 22, 2024: During a court hearing in the Sinan Ateş murder trial, lawyers for the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) submitted a petition claiming the party was a "victim" in the case. The court rejected the request. MHP representatives accused Ağırel and 62 other journalists of acting as "influence agents" due to their reporting on the case.
- September 3, 2024: A masked individual sent Ağırel a video, warning that a contract had been placed on his life and that the murder order came from a member of parliament.
- September 4, 2024: Turkey's General Directorate of Security announced via its X account that two individuals who recorded and shared the video threatening Ağırel had been arrested.
The press organizations expressed deep concern over the death threats and harassment directed at Ağırel and his family. They stressed that such intimidation represents a stark example of the dangerous environment in which independent journalists operate in Turkey. The groups urged Turkish authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety of Ağırel and his family, thoroughly investigate the threats, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Signatories
The statement was signed by various international and Turkish organizations, including:
- International Press Institute (IPI)
- ARTICLE 19 Europe
- European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
- Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
- Swedish PEN
- PEN America
- European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
- Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS)
- Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
This statement was issued as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) mechanism, a European-wide initiative funded by the European Commission to monitor violations of press and media freedom in EU member states and candidate countries.
