November 26, 2024 - Turkiye, Multiple Cities

Women Press Freedom condemns the targeted persecution of journalists following the detention of several media workers in coordinated morning raids across the country. Police action is in connection with an investigation launched by the Eskişehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Among those detained are journalists Roza Metina, Tuğçe Yılmaz, and Suzan Demir. The home of journalist Gülcan Dereli was also raided, though she was not detained.

In one raid, police searched the former residence of Bianet reporter Tuğçe Yılmaz, calling them on the phone when they were not found at home. Yılmaz was later summoned to the police station to provide a statement and detained.

Authorities have imposed severe restrictions on those in custody, including a ban on lawyer access and a confidentiality order on the case, leaving the reasons for their detention undisclosed. Lawyers are preparing to challenge these measures and demand transparency.

We call for the immediate release of all detained journalists and the removal of all repressive restrictions. We urge the international community to apply urgent pressure on the Turkish government to end its systematic assault on press freedom, especially its unjust targeting of Kurdish journalists.

Silencing the press is silencing the truth.