Journalist Zeynep Kuray, who is being investigated under the so-called "censorship law" for her reporting on the destruction of Akbelen forest, defended herself by stating, "The real criminal is the company destroying the forest." The investigation was launched following a complaint from the company responsible for deforesting the Akbelen area for a mining project.
Kuray, who reported on the resistance of villagers in Muğla's İkizköy neighborhood against the deforestation for the mining project, is being accused of "publicly disseminating misleading information," a crime introduced under a controversial law passed by the ruling AKP and MHP parties. This law, known as TCK 217a, has been widely criticized by press freedom advocates as a tool for censorship.
Represented by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), Kuray gave her statement at a police station in Taksim today, accompanied by MLSA lawyer Emine Özhasar.
"My goal was to amplify the voices of the villagers"
In her defense, Kuray stated, "A massacre is taking place in the Akbelen forest due to the mining operations, and the villagers' land is being destroyed. The company that filed the complaint against me is the same one destroying the forest." Kuray explained that she traveled to Akbelen as a journalist after learning about the violence inflicted on the villagers resisting the deforestation, saying, "My only goal was to make the villagers' voices heard and to stand against this destruction. This deforestation is unlawful."
Kuray also defended her social media posts, where she described the environmental destruction, and reiterated that her work is focused on journalism, stating, "The real culprit is the company destroying the forest, not me. My job is to report the news. I reject the accusations."
Previous investigation cleared Kuray of charges
This is not the first time Kuray has been targeted for her coverage of Akbelen. She had previously faced another investigation for reporting on the mistreatment of environmental activists protesting the deforestation. That investigation was ultimately dropped by the Milas Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which cited European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings and the Turkish Constitution. The prosecutor emphasized that statements that are uncomfortable or critical, but do not incite violence, fall under the protection of free speech.
Akbelen forest resistance
Since October 2019, the people of İkizköy in Muğla have been fighting to protect the Akbelen forest from being cleared for the expansion of a lignite mine that supplies fuel to the Yeniköy-Kemerköy thermal power plants. The villagers have consistently resisted attempts by Limak Holding and İçtaş, the companies behind the project, to purchase their land.
Despite legal challenges and administrative appeals, the villagers faced repeated rejection of their claims. Since 2021, the struggle has transformed into a continuous vigil in the forest to prevent further deforestation. Over the years, the villagers have endured numerous obstacles, including having their water supply cut off, facing job pressure, and being subjected to interventions by the gendarmerie.
The first major deforestation effort in the area began on July 17, 2021, bringing national attention to the destruction of Akbelen. The situation intensified when, amidst widespread wildfires across the Aegean and Mediterranean regions, 105 trees were cut down in Akbelen on August 8, 2021, allegedly under the pretext of fire prevention. The chainsaws used bore the logo of the mining company.
Two days later, on August 10, 2021, around 250 gendarmes arrived at the protest site, demanding that the area be evacuated. When the villagers refused to leave the authorized protest site, they were forcibly removed, with some being dragged out by the gendarmes. Even the lawyers supporting the villagers were assaulted.
The ongoing struggle to protect Akbelen forest continues to be a symbol of environmental resistance in Turkey.
