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Global union demands release of detained Turkish journalists

Global union demands release of detained Turkish journalists
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Mathias Bolton Head of Commerce | UNI Global Union

UNI Global Union, along with its affiliate, the Journalists’ Union of Türkiye (TGS), is urging Turkish authorities to immediately release four journalists detained following early morning police raids on their homes on February 18.

The journalists include Ercüment Akdeniz, a presenter at İlke TV; Elif Akgül, an independent journalist; Ender İmrek, a reporter and writer; and Yıldız Tar, editor-in-chief of Kaos GL. They were taken into custody as part of a broader crackdown on the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), an umbrella organization for left-wing and pro-Kurdish groups.

Approximately 50 individuals, including artists, activists, and politicians, were detained in an operation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office that spanned ten provinces. Reports indicate that the four journalists have been denied access to legal representation and information about the investigation due to a 'confidentiality order.'

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On February 22, three of the four detained journalists were arrested on terrorism-related charges while Ender İmrek is under house arrest.

UNI Global Union General Secretary Christy Hoffman said:

“We condemn the unjust detentions of the four journalists in the strongest possible terms and join our affiliate TGS in calling for their immediate release. Press freedom is a crucial part of democracy and journalism is not a crime. We stand in solidarity with TGS and all media workers and urge the Turkish authorities to stop targeting and prosecuting journalists. ”

According to TGS's latest figures, 23 journalists and media workers are now in prison under questionable charges amid an alarming escalation against press freedom in Turkey.

Photo: Journalists Yıldız Tar, Elif Akgül, Ender İmrek and Ercüment Akdeniz were detained in Istanbul on February 18, 2025. Credit: Journo.com.tr

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