Journalism organizations call for solidarity ahead of Dicle Müftüoğlu’s trial
Ahead of the final hearing in the trial of Dicle Müftüoğlu, co-chair of the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) and editor at Mezopotamya Agency (MA), journalism organizations have issued a call for solidarity. Müftüoğlu is facing charges of "membership in a terrorist organization" related to her journalistic activities, and a verdict is expected at her next court appearance on October 24.
Müftüoğlu, who spent 264 days in pre-trial detention, is being tried at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court, where the prosecution is seeking a prison sentence of up to 37.5 years. The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), which is part of her defense team, and DFG have invited journalists and the public to attend the hearing in support.
Charges focus on journalism activities
The case against Müftüoğlu has drawn significant attention, with advocates noting that the 43-page indictment devotes 41 pages to activities that contain no criminal allegations. The DFG, in its solidarity call, emphasized that the charges against Müftüoğlu are an attempt to punish her for her work as a Kurdish journalist.
The statement recalled that in earlier hearings on December 14, 2023, January 18, 2024, and February 29, 2024, it became clear that Müftüoğlu’s case involves no actions beyond her journalism. Despite this, witness statements—both open and secret—have been used as justification for her imprisonment. The indictment was filed on June 13, when the prosecution requested a sentence based on these testimonies, despite claims that they were unreliable and had already been addressed in previous cases against Müftüoğlu.
Increasing pressure on Kurdish journalists
Müftüoğlu’s case is part of a broader pattern of pressure against Kurdish journalists in Turkey. The statement highlighted that Müftüoğlu has been repeatedly detained and prosecuted, making her one of many journalists facing persecution for their work. Despite these challenges, she has maintained high journalistic standards and received recognition for her resilience, including an award from the Netherlands-based Free Press Unlimited as the "Most Resilient Journalist."
DFG and MLSA emphasized that Müftüoğlu’s imprisonment is not only an attack on her personally, but also on press freedom and democratic values. They called for action to defend the rights of Müftüoğlu and other journalists facing similar charges, urging the public to recognize that protecting journalists is essential to protecting freedom of expression and democracy.
The solidarity call concluded by reaffirming the importance of standing by journalists like Müftüoğlu, whose work plays a critical role in keeping the public informed, and by calling for increased efforts to support press freedom in Turkey.
