Detaining Journalist Karakurt was Illegal!

The Press Council and the Turkish Journalists Association (TGC), both condemned Karakurt's detention in separate written statements. The detention is a "grave violation of law," said the Press Council. TGC called on the Interior Ministry and prosecutors to take action.

Karakurt was detained by police officers from the Istanbul Anti-Terrorism Unit, who came to his house in Harbiye early in the morning, on Oct. 15. The reporter was taken to the police headquarters on Vatan Avenue.

Karakurt's house was also searched. According to the Hurriyet newspaper, Karakurt was detained for his interview titled, "Women's consciousness has surpassed Kurdism in Kandil," which was about the changes in the life styles of Kurdish militants, and which was published in the "Hurriyet Pazar," the Sunday special of the newspaper on October 12.

Karakurt had also interviewed Murat Karayilan, one of the leaders of the Kongra-Gel group.

In his story, Karakurt underlined that relations between men and women militants had improved. He pointed out that women militants were watching soap operas and men were watching soccer games on television.

"He was threatened when he did not give the photographs"

According to the Press Council, a group of 10 police officers treated Karakurt like a "terrorist," because of his interview with the militants. The council said that this was a "grave violation of rights," and condemned the detention.

The council said that the police did not find anything that could be regarded as an element of crime in Karakurt's house. "The police told Karakurt to hand over all photographs taken on the Kandil Mountain," said the council. "They told him that they would keep him under detention for 48 hours, which is the legal length of detention, unless he handed over the photographs. This suggests they can arbitrarily use their authority."

According to the council, Karakurt's detention is an example of the government violation of the Press Law No: 5187, put forward as a "sign of its sincerity about democratization." According to the press law, "the owner of the media organization, the person in charge, or the creator of the work (Sebati Karakurt in this case) may not be forced to reveal his/her sources or to serve as a witness."

The Press Council said that the law was being violated by people responsible for implementing law.

TGC: There should be legal action against the police

TGC also condemned Karakurt's detention. The group stated that the police's action "had no legal basis and thus was illegal."

TGC said article 12 of the Press Law, which was prepared in line with the European Declaration on Human Rights, was violated. The group called on the Interior Ministry and the state prosecutors to press legal action against the police officers involved in the incident. (EO/BB/EA/YE)