IFJ, EFJ Ask Justice Ministry of 6 Journalists Detained for 17 Days

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The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) have asked Minister of Justice Bekir Bozdağ about the situation of journalists Tunca Öğreten, Mahir Kanaat, Ömer Çelik, Metin Yoksu, Eray Saygın, Derya Okatan, who have been in custody for 17 days.

Highlighting that no official statement has been made as to why the journalists are being kept in detention, the IFJ and EFJ have asked Minister of Justice Bozdağ why the journalists who were detained on December 25 are in custody and have demanded release of them.

The IFJ and EFJ also added that these right violations would be reported to the European Council's journalism safety platform and Mapping Media Freedom Platform.

What had happened?

News Director of Dicle News Agency (DİHA), which was closed by Statutory Decree No. 675 dated October 29, Ömer Çelik, DİHA correspondent Metin Yoksu, Diken correspondent Tunca Öğreten, BirGün daily newspaper Accounting Manager Mahir Kanaat, ETHA Managing Editor Derya Okatan and Yolculuk newspaper Publisher and Managin Editor Eray Sargın were taken into custody in a house raid on December 25.

Detention warrant for the six journalists was extended for 30 more days on December 30.

Confidentiality order was issued on the case.

According to a report by pro-government Sabah daily newspaper, İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched the investigation on charges of "being affiliated with and propagandizing for Redhack hacker group".

Journalists Fatih Yağmur, Deniz Yücel and Hünkar Alican couldn't detained as they were abroad, the report included. (EA/TK)