# List of arrested journalists in Turkey

Many journalists in Turkey are being persecuted and kept in jail all over the country. Below is an extensive list of the prisoners, past and present.
231 journalists have been arrested after 15 July 2016 alone. According to the Gülen movement-linked (which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, Pakistan, and the GCC) advocacy group Stockholm Center for Freedom that tracks cases of prosecutions of Turkish journalists, in the year 2018, 122 journalists received a jail sentence.

## List of arrested journalists

The following is a non-exhaustive list of arrested journalists in Turkey: A new updated and searchable list of jailed journalists is compiled by Stockholm Center for Freedom which stated that 165 journalists were arrested, 88 convicted and 167 wanted as of 8 May 2020.
Arrested journalists in Turkey :
| Name | Media | Position | Date arrested | Status | Background info |
| Abdulcebbar Karabeğ | Azadiya Welat | correspondent in Mersin | 2010-09-26 | Released on 2012-11-02 | detained at the closed prison of Hatay |
| Abdullah Çetin | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Kurtalan, Siirt Province | 2011-12-16 | Released on 2014-06-25 | detained at the D-Type prison in Diyarbakır |
| Abdullah Civan | Today's Zaman | | 2016-9-2 | Convicted on 2017-5-26 | convicted to 10 years and 5 months, detained in İzmir |
| Abdullah Kılıç | Meydan | correspondent | 2016-07-25 | Convicted and jailed pending trial | Sentenced to 6 years and 3 months on 8 March 2018. Imprisoned in the Silivri prison, İstanbul |
| Abdülkader Civan | Today's Zaman | | 2016-09-02 | Convicted | Sentenced to more than 10 years imprisonment on 26 May 2017 |
| Adnan Bilen | Mezopotamya Agency | journalist | 2020-10-9 | released in April 2021 | imprisoned for about 6 months |
| Abdurrahman Gök | Dicle Haber Ajansı | journalist | 24 March 2009 | released in November 2009 | |
| Abdurrahman Öncü | Pia | Camera operator | 2022-06-16 | arrested | |
| Ahmet Altan | Taraf | journalist | 2016-09-10 | released 2021-04-21 | Sentenced to life in prison with solitary confinement in 2018. Released after an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights and a ruling of the Court of Cassation |
| Ahmet Akyol | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Adana | 2011-05-09 | Released on 2012-11-06 | Was detained at the M-Type prison in Ceyhan, Adana |
| Ahmet Birsin | Gün TV | general coordinator | 2009-04-14 | Convicted | Sentenced to 21 years for administrating a terrorist organization in March 2017 |
| Ahmet Böken | TRT | | 2016-08-18 | Convicted | Sentenced to 9 years and 9 months imprisonment. |
| Mehmet Bilal Colak | TRT | | 2016-08-18 | Convicted | Sentenced to 9 years imprisonment. |
| Ahmet Şık | Cumhuriyet | | 3 March 2011/2016-12-30 | 12 March 2012/released pending trial in March 2018 | First arrest is part of Ergenekon trials. Sentenced to 7 years and 6 months imprisonment on second arrest |
| Ahmet Torun | TRT | | | | Sentenced to 7 years and 5 months imprisonment. |
| Ali Konar | Azadiya Welat | correspondent in Elazig | 2010-05-27 | Convicted | Sentenced to 7 years and 6 months on 22 October 2015 |
| Ali Özparun | TRT | | | jailed pending trial | |
| Ali Ünal | Yeni Hayat | | 2016-08-16 | Convicted on the 2018-11-14, pending trial | Sentenced to 19 years and 6 months, detained in the F Type prison Buca Kırıklar |
| Arif Çelebi | | | | Released on 2014-05-08 | detained during 7 years and 8 months |
| Aykut Yildir | TRT | | | jailed pending trial | |
| Ayşe Oyman | Özgür Gündem | editor | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2014-03-03 | detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakırköy, Istanbul |
| Aysenur Parildak | Zaman | | 2016-08-11 | Arrested | sentenced to 7 years and 6 months imprisonment |
| Aytekin Gezici | Seyhan Belediyesi | | 2016-08-26 | detained pending appeal | sentenced to 9 years in prison on 16 February 2018 |
| Aziz Tekin | Azadiya Welat | correspondent in Mardin | 2012-01-29 | Arrested | detained at the E-Type prison in Mardin |
| Aziz Oruç | Mezapotamya Agency | | 2022-06-16 | Arrested | |
| Barış Polat | Mezopotamya Agency | | | Convicted in January 2020 | sentenced to 6 years and 3 months |
| Bayram Kaya | Yeni Hayat | | 2016-07-29 | Arrested, jailed pending trial | sentenced to 6 years and 3 months on 8 March 2018 |
| Bayram Namaz | Atılım | writer | 2006-09-10 | Released on 2014-05-08 | detained during 7 years and 8 months at the F-Type prison in Edirne |
| Bedri Adanır | Aram Yayınları, Hawar | general director | 2010-01-08 | Released on 2012-11-27 | detained during 689 days at the D-Type prison in Diyarbakır |
| Berivan Altan | Mezopotamya Agency | journalist | 30-10-2022 | arrested | |
| Cemil Uğur | Mezopotamya Agency | | 2020-10-09 | Released in April 2021 | imprisoned for about 6 months |
| Cengiz Kapmaz | Özgür Gündem | writer | 2011-11-26 | Convicted | |
| Cengiz Dogan | Azadiya Welat | | 2009-04-20 | Convicted | Sentenced to 17 years and 1 month in prison. |
| Çağdaş Kaplan | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Istanbul | 2011-12-20 | Released on 2013-02-11 | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Cuma Ulus | Can Erzincan TV | | 2016-08-06 | Convicted | Sentenced to 6 years 3 months imprisonment on 8 March 2018 |
| Davut Uçar | Etik Ajans | director | 2011-12-24 | Arrested | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Deniz Nazlım | Mezopotamya agency | journalist | 30-10-2022 | Arrested | |
| Deniz Yıldırım | Aydınlık | Chief editor | 2009-11-09 | Released in March 2014 | sentenced for leaking a phone conversation of Erdogan to the media |
| Deniz Yücel | Die Welt, taz | journalist | 2017-02-14 | Released on 2018-02-16 | jailed in Istanbul |
| Derek Stoffel | CBC News | journalist | 2013-06-12 | Released on 2013-06-12 | |
| Dilşah Ercan | Azadiya Welat | correspondent in Mersin | 2011-12-24 | Arrested | detained at the M-Type prison in Ceyhan, Adana |
| Dilek Demiral | Özgür Gündem | journalist | 2010-09-26 | Released on 2014-03-03 | detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakırköy, Istanbul |
| Diren Yurtsever | Mezopotamya agency | Editor in chief | 30-10-2022 | arrested | |
| Ebru Umar | Metro, Libelle | journalist, writer, columnist | 2016-04-23 | (Partly) released on 2016-04-24 | Dutch journalist, arrested because of insulting Turkish president Erdoğan. Umar is prohibited to leave Turkey for the Netherlands awaiting further investigation. |
| Eda Akıllı Şanlı | Bizim Antalya | columnist | 2016-07-25 | Released pending trial the 2016-12-18 | |
| Emrullah Acar | Mezopotamya Agency | correspondent | 30-10-2022 | Arrested | |
| Ekrem Dumanlı | Zaman Gazetesi | general director | 2014-12-14 | Released on 2014-12-19 | |
| Elif Üngür | PEL productions | presenter | 16 June 2022 | arrested | |
| Emre Soncan | Zaman | correspondent | 2016-07-24 | Convicted, jailed pending trial | sentenced to 10 years and 5 months on 10 April 2018 |
| Enis Berberoğlu | Sözcü | | 14 June 2017 | Released on 20 September 2018 | Sentenced to 25 years on 14 June 2017, the sentence was lowered to 5 years and 10 months on 13 February 2018. Released until the end of his term as MP of the Turkish Parliament. |
| Erdal Süsem | Eylül | editor | 2010-02-10 | Convicted | Convicted to life in prison |
| Erol Zavar | Odak | director | 2007-01-20 | Arrested | detained at the F-Type prison in Sincan, Ankara |
| Ersin Şanlı | TRT | manager | 2016-7-20 | Arrested | |
| Ertuğ Bozkurt | Dicle Haber Ajansı | editor | 2011-12-24 | Arrested | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Faruk Akkan | Cihan | | 2016-08-04 | Arrested | sentenced to 9 years imprisonment |
| Fatih Özgür Aydın | | | 2011-07-25 | Arrested | |
| Fatma Koçak | Dicle Haber Ajansı | director | 2011-12-24 | Arrested | detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakırköy, Istanbul |
| Faysal Tunç | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Sirnak | 2007-04-05 | Convicted | Sentenced twice to 6 years and 3 months |
| Ferhat Çiftçi | Azadiya Welat | correspondent in Gaziantep | 2011-02-16 | Arrested | detained at the H-Type women prison in Gaziantep |
| Füsun Erdoğan | Özgür Radyo | general coordinator | 2006-09-10 | Released on 2014-05-08 | detained during 7 years and 8 months at the T-Type prison in Kandira |
| Gurbetelli Ersöz | Özgür Gündem | Editor-in-Chief | 1994-01-12 | June 1994 | |
| Gülnaz Yıldız | Mücadele Birliği | | 2012-04-26 | Convicted | Sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in prison |
| Gülsen Aslan | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Batman | 2012-02-20 | Released on 2012-10-15 | detained at the M-Type prison in Batman |
| Habip Güler | Zaman | correspondent | 2016-07-25 | Convicted, jailed pending trial | sentenced to 6 years and 3 months on 8 March 2018. Detained in Silivri Prison. |
| Hakan Soytemiz | | | 2010-09-25 | Released on 2012-09-24 | |
| Hakan Yalçın | Mezopotamya Agency | Journalist | 30-10-2022 | Arrested | |
| Halil İbrahim Balta | Zaman, Yarına Bakış | correspondent | 2016-07-25 | Convicted, jailed pending trial | sentenced to 6 years and 3 months on 8 March 2018 |
| Hanim Büşra Erdal | Yeni Hayat | | 2016-07-29 | Convicted, jailed pending trial | sentenced to 6 years and 3 months on 8 March 2018 |
| Hamit Dilbahar | Azadiya Welat | writer | 2010-02-13 | Convicted | Sentenced to 16 years imprisonment. |
| Hamza Güneri Gök | TRT | | 2017-01-30 | Convicted | Sentenced to 6 years and 3 months on 26 February 2019. |
| Hasan Özgüneş | Azadiya Welat | writer | 2011-10-28 | Arrested | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Hatice Duman | Atılım | director | 2003-04-01 | Convicted | sentenced to life imprisonment. Detained at the M-Type prison in Gebze |
| Hayati Yildiz | Azadiya Welat | | 2017-03-01 | Released pending trial | Released pending trial 20 September 2017 |
| Hidayet Karaca | Samanyolu TV | owner | 2014-12-14 | Convicted | sentenced to 31 years imprisonment on 3 November 2017. |
| Hikmet Çiçek | | | 2008-03-25 | Released 2014-03-10 | Part of Ergenekon trials |
| Hüseyin Deniz | Evrensel | correspondent | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2014-03-27 | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| İdris Sayılğan | Mezopotamya ajansi | journalist | 2020-03-02 | currently arrested | He was previously arrested for 1,137 days between 2016 and 2019 Sentenced to 4 years for terrorist propaganda |
| İlker İlkan | Azadiya Welat | | 2016-09-09 | Released pending trial | Released 12 October 2017 |
| Ismail Yıldız | Dersim | director | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2013-02-11 | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Jake Hanrahan | Popular Front | journalist | 2015-8-27 | Deported to UK after a week | Arrested after being "accused of working on behalf of a terrorist organisation and assisting Islamic State" while covering disturbances in Diyarbakir. |
| Kadri Gürsel | Cumhuriyet | journalist | 2016-10 | Released on 2017-09-25 | He was accused, together with other Cumhuriyet staff, in the case on terrorism charges, with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), and the Fethullahist Organization (FETÖ) among the groups named in the indictments. |
| Kamuran Sunbat | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent | 11-09-2011 | Arrested | the former Cukurova correspondent of the pro-Kurdish Dicle News Ajansi (DiHA), was arrested in 2011. He was convicted over alleged links to outlawed Kurdish militant groups and is currently serving a sentence of 11 years, 11 months in prison. |
| Kenan Baş | Zaman | correspondent | 2016-07-25 | Released on 29 March 2017, pending trial | |
| Kenan Karavil | Radyo Dünya | general director | 2009-12-11 | Released on 2010-10-22 | detained at the F-Type prison in Kürkçüler, Adana |
| Kenan Kırkaya | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Ankara | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2014-03-27 | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Mazlum Doğan Güler | Pia | camera operator | 2022-06-16 | Arrested | |
| Mazlum Dolan | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Diyarbakır | 2016-02-19 | Released pending trial | released after serving 15 months in Diyarbakir Prison |
| Mazlum Özdemir | Dicle Haber Ajansı | editor | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2014-03-27 | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Mediha Olgun | Sözcü | | 2017-05-26 | Released pending trial | Released pending trial 22 September 2017 |
| Mehmet Akif Öztürk | TRT | | 2019-02-26 | | Sentenced to 8 years and 9 months in prison |
| Mehmet Anıl | Etkin Haber | | 2016-10-07 | Released pending trial the 2016-12-14 | |
| Mehmet Aslan | Mezapotamya Ajansi | journalist | 2021-01-05 | arrested pending trial | |
| Mehmet Baransu | Taraf | correspondent and columnist | 2015-03-02 | | detained at the Metris Prison |
| Mehmet Dener | | | 2016-07-22 | Released pending trial 2017-03-24 | |
| Mehmet Emin Yıldırım | Azadiya Welat | general director | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2014-03-27 | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Mehmet Ali Ertaş | Xwebun | editor | 2022-06-16 | arrested | |
| Mehmet Güneş | Türkiye Gerçeği | writer | ???-??-?? | Released on 2012-10-05 | detained during 310 days at the F-Type Tekirdağ number 2 prison |
| Mehmet Haberal | Kanal B | owner | 2009-04-17 | Released on 6 September 2013 | Part of Ergenekon trials |
| Mehmet Şahin | Piya productions | presenter | 2022-06-16 | Arrested | |
| Mehmet Yeşiltepe | Devrimci Hareket | writer | 2009-04-30 | Arrested | detained at the F-Type prison in Tekirdağ |
| Miktat Algül | Mersin Mezitli FM (radio) and Ulus Newspaper | | 2010-05-17 | Arrested | Sentenced to 60 years and 5 months in prison. |
| Mohammed Rasool | Popular Front | journalist | 2015-8-27 | Released the following January | Arrested after being "accused of working on behalf of a terrorist organisation and assisting Islamic State" while covering disturbances in Diyarbakir. |
| Murat Aksoy | | journalist | 2017-04 | Released on 2017-10-25 | Jailed pending trial over suspected links to the FETÖ media network. He was accused of "being a member of a terror group" and of "participating in a coup attempt." |
| Murat Aydın | | | 2011-10-22 | Arrested | |
| Murat Öztürk | Çorum Manşet | | 2016-08-21 | Released pending trial | Released pending trial 16 May 2017 |
| Musa Kart | Yürüyüş | | 2012-09-18 | Arrested | detained in Silivri Prison |
| Mustafa Balbay | Cumhuriyet | correspondent in Ankara | 2009-03-06 | Released on 2013-12-09 | detained at the E-type prison in Sincan, Ankara for 4 years and 277 days. Part of Ergenekon trials |
| Mustafa Gök | Ekmek ve Adalet | correspondent in Ankara | 2004-02-19 | Convicted | Sentenced to life in prison for attempting to change the constitutional order by force. |
| Mustafa Ünal | Yeni Hayat | | 2016-07-29 | Convicted | Sentenced to 10 years and 6 months on 8 July 2018 |
| Mümtaz'er Türköne | Yarına Bakış | | 03-08-2016 | released 2020-09-24 | Sentenced to 10 years 6 months on 6 July 2018, but released following an appeal. |
| Müyesser Yıldız | Odatv | | February 2011/8 June 2020 | released June 2012/released 9 November 2020 | First arrest is part of Ergenekon trials |
| Nahide Ermiş | Demokratik Modernite | board member | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2014-01-14 | detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul |
| Nazlı Ilıcak | Bulvar, Bugün, Hurriyet | publisher, journalist | 2016-07-29 | Convicted/Jailed Pending Appeal | Sentenced to life in prison with solitary confinement in 2018. She was released on 5 November 2019. |
| Nedim Türfent | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Van | 2016-05-12 | released on 29 November 2022 | Sentenced to 8 years and 9 months in prison on 15 December 2017 |
| Neşe Toprak | PEL | TV host | 2022-06-16 | arrested | |
| Nevin Erdemir | Özgür Gündem | editor | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2014-03-27 | detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul |
| Nilgün Yıldız | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Mardin | 2011-12-24 | Arrested | detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul |
| Nurettin Fırat | Özgür Gündem | writer | 2011-12-24 | Arrested | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Nuri Yeşil | Azadiya Welat | correspondent in Tunceli | 2010-05-27 | Arrested | detained at the E-Type prison in Elbistan |
| Oktay Candemir | Dicle Haber Ajansı | journalist | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2012-11-16 | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Olgun Matur | Bizim Antalya | owner | 2016-07-25 | Arrested | |
| Ömer Çelik | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Istanbul | 2016-12-24 | released in October 2017 | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Ömer Çelik | program Views from Amed | presenter | 2022-06-16 | arrested | |
| Ömer Çiftçi | Demokratik Modernite | owner | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2013-02-11 | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Ömer Faruk Çalışkan | Özgür Halk | general director | 2008-07-19 | Arrested | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Ozan Kılınç | Azadiya Welat | Editor | 2010-07-22 | Convicted | Sentenced to 32 years in prison. |
| Özlem Ağuş | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Adana | 2011-12-24 | Arrested | detained at the women prison in Karatas, Adana |
| Pervin Yerlikaya | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Istanbul accountant | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2013-02-11 | detained at the L-Type prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul |
| Philip Pendlebury | Popular Front | journalist | 2015-8-27 | Deported to UK after a week | Arrested after being "accused of working on behalf of a terrorist organisation and assisting Islamic State" while covering disturbances in Diyarbakir. |
| Ramazan Pekgöz | Günlük | editor | 2011-12-20 | Released in 2014-05-12 | |
| Sadık Topaloğlu | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Urfa | 2011-12-24 | Arrested | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Safiye Alagaş | JinNews | journalist | 2022-06-16 | arrested | |
| Saša Petricic | CBC News | journalist | 2013-06-12 | Released on 2013-06-12 | |
| Selahattin Aslan | Demokratik Modernite | | 2011-12-24 | Arrested | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Selma Tatli | Zaman | | 2018-11-28 | Arrested pending trial | |
| Semiha Alankuş | Demokratik Modernite | | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2014-03-27 | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Serdar Altan | Dicle-Firat Journalists Association | Co-Chair | 2022-06-16 | Arrested | |
| Serkan Canbaz | TRT | | 2016-12-30 | Convicted | Sentenced to 6 years and 10 months 15 days in prison on 16 February 2019. |
| Sevcan Atak | Özgür Halk | editor | 2010-06-18 | Arrested | Sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison. |
| Seyithan Akyüz | Azadiya Welat | correspondent in Adana | 2009-12-11 | Arrested | sentenced in 4 trials to 21 years and 9 months in total. |
| Sibel Güler | Özgür Gündem | journalist | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2014-03-03 | detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy Istanbul |
| Sinan Aygül | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Bitlis | 2011-01-23 | Released on 2012-11-07 | detained at the E-Type prison in Muş |
| Şirin Çoban | Azadiya Welat | | 2016-09-09 | Released pending trial | Released on 12 October 2017 |
| Soner Yalçın | OdaTV, Hürriyet | owner, journalist | 2011-02-14 | Released on 2012-12-27 | detained at the L-Type prison in Silivri. Part of Ergenekon trials |
| Suat Doğuhan | PEL productions | owner | 2022-06-16 | Arrested | |
| Sultan Şaman | Hevîya Jinê | editor | 2012-02-07 | Arrested | detained at the M-Type prison in Batman |
| Şahabettin Demir | Dicle Haber Ajansı | correspondent in Van | 2010-09-05 | Convicted | Sentenced to 15 years in prison. |
| Şükrü Sak | Akıncı Yol ve Baran Dergisi | general director | 2010-04-26 | Arrested | detained at the E-Type prison in Sivas |
| Tayip Temel | Azadiya Welat | writer | 2011-10-08 | Arrested | detained at the D-Type prison in Diyarbakir |
| Tuncay Özkan | ex-Kanaltürk | owner | 2008-09-27 | Released on 10 March 2014 | detained at the L-Type prison in Silivri. Part of Ergenekon trials |
| Tunca Öğreten | Diken | journalist | 25-12-2016 | released 6 December 2017 | concerning the emails of Berat Albayrak, the son-in law of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and sentenced for Insulting the president |
| Turabi Kişin | Özgür Gündem | editor | 2012-01-02 | Arrested | detained at the F-Type prison in Kandira |
| Turgut Usul | TRT | presenter | 2018-01-04 | Arrested | jailed pending trial. |
| Turhan Özlü | Ulusal Kanal | general director | 2011-10-08 | Arrested | detained at the L-Type prison in Silivri |
| Ünal Tanik | Rotahaber | | 18-01-2017 | Arrested | Sentenced to 6 years 3 months imprisonment on 8 March 2018. |
| Vedat Demir | Yarına Bakış | columnist | 2016-08-03 | Released on 2017-02-17 | detained at the Silivri Prison |
| Yalçın Küçük | | writer | 2011-03-07 | Released 2014-03-10 | detained at the L-Type prison in Silivri. Part of Ergenekon trials. |
| Yüksel Genç | Özgür Gündem | writer | 2011-12-24 | Arrested | detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul |
| Zehra Doğan | Jinha | journalist | 2017 - March | Arrested/ released on the 24 - 02 - 2019 | sentenced to 2 years 9 months and 22 days |
| Zehra Firdevsoğlu | Mukavemet | | | Arrested | |
| Zeynel Abidin Bulut | Xwebun | editor | 2022-06-16 | arrested | |
| Zeynep Kuray | Birgün | correspondent in Istanbul | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2013-04-26 | detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul |
| Ziya Çiçekçi | Özgür Gündem | owner | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2013-02-11 | detained at the F-Type women prison in Kandira |
| Zuhal Tekiner | Dicle Haber Ajansı | owner | 2011-12-24 | Released on 2013-02-11 | detained at the L-Type women prison in Bakirköy, Istanbul |

## Grounds for prosecution

Kemalist and / or nationalist journalists were arrested on charges referring to the Ergenekon case and several left-wing and Kurdish journalists were arrested on charges of engaging in propaganda for the PKK listed as a terrorist organization. After the corruption operation in 17/25 December 2013 and in particular after coup attempt of 15 July, the apartments of journalists were raided and sent to prison. The journalists such as Mehmet Baransu, Ece Sevim Ozturk, who were investigating the ‘ Coup attempt’, were arrested. Media organizations such as Zaman newspaper, Cihan News Agency and Samanyolu TV, which were affiliated to the Fethullah Gülen group, were confiscated. Journalists working in these institutions were imprisoned. Life imprisonment was given to journalists such as Hidayet Karaca and Ahmet Altan. With the dozens of published decrees, newspapers, TV, radio, magazine, website was closed. The legal framework on organised crime and terrorism is imprecise and contains definitions which are open to abuse, leading to numerous indictments and convictions. Moreover, its interpretation by prosecutors and courts is uneven and is not in line with the European Convention on Human Rights or the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, according to the European Commission. No clear distinction is made between incitement to violence and the expression of nonviolent ideas. The application of Articles 6 and 7 of the Anti-Terror Law in combination with Articles 220 and 314 of the Turkish Criminal Code leads to abuses; in short, writing an article or making a speech can still lead to a court case and a long prison sentence for membership or leadership of a terrorist organisation. Together with possible pressure on the press by state officials and the threat of possible firing of critical journalists, this situation can lead to a widespread self-censorship. Frequent website bans are a cause for serious concern and there is a need to revise the law on the internet.
Most journalists are in prison based on the following laws:
* The Anti-Terror Law of Turkey (also known as Terörle Mücadele Yasası, TMY), Articles 5 and 7 relating to articles of the Criminal Code on terrorist offences and organizations or assisting members of or making propaganda in connection with such organizations, as well as the lengthening of sentences;
* The Criminal Code of Turkey (also known as Türk Ceza Kanunu, TCK), Article 314 on establishing, commanding or becoming member of an armed organization with the aim of committing certain offences.

## Concerns

Concerns persisted over the rights of the defence, lengthy pre-trial detention and excessively long and catch-all indictments, leading to significantly enhanced public scrutiny of the legitimacy of these trials.
A report issued by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media describes a number of concerns concerning the case of arrested journalists in Turkey:
* Courts often impose exceptionally long imprisonment sentences. The longest conviction is 166 years and the longest jail sentence sought for a journalist is 3,000 years.
* Many journalists face double life sentences if convicted, some without possibility for parole. Courts do not tend to grant pre-trial release of defendants.
* There is concern that arrests and long pre-trial detentions without conviction are used as a form of intimidation.
* Pre-trial detentions remain very long. In some cases journalists held in prison for up to three years are still awaiting trial. Some journalists have been imprisoned for more than five years while their trial is ongoing.
* Journalists often face several trials and are often convicted for several offences. There is one journalist who faces 150 court cases.
* Media outlets reporting about sensitive issues (including terrorism or anti-government activities) are often regarded by the authorities as the publishing organs of illegal organizations. Courts often consider reporting about such issues as equal to supporting them.
* Journalists are often imprisoned in F-tipi cezaevi (F-type high security prisons), where they have to serve their time with the most dangerous criminals. It is also not uncommon to punish journalists with solitary confinement for extended time periods.
* According to a report published by Amnesty International on 30 March 2020, Turkey government is said to be speeding up the process of preparing a draft law that intends to release approximately 100,000 prisoners amid growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in prisons. However, the law overlooks the journalists, political prisoners, and human rights defenders, who are said to remain jailed despite overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions already posing severe health threat.
* On 3 July 2020, four Amnesty International activists were convicted by the Turkish court for "assisting a terrorist organization". The human rights group denies all the charges and said that every allegation against its members has been "comprehensively exposed as a baseless slur."