Turkiye: Asena Tunca Faces Criminal Charges for Covering Earthquake Protest
BirGün reporter was violently and unjustly detained at the 2023 demonstration
Location: Turkiye, IstanbulDate: April 19, 2024
Women Press Freedom condemns the prosecutor's decision to pursue charges against journalist Asena Tunca for allegedly "opposing the law on meetings and demonstrations" following her violent detention by law enforcement while covering a protest against the government's handling of the February 2024 earthquakes. It is despicable that Tunca, reporting for BirGün, was arrested, subjected to reverse handcuffs, and forcibly detained alongside fellow journalists and protestors covering the Istanbul demonstration. Now, she faces criminal charges for violating protest law. Instead of targeting journalists like Tunca, who were merely fulfilling their duty to inform the public, authorities should focus on investigating the officers responsible for her aggressive detention. We demand Tunca's immediate exoneration and urge Turkish prosecutors to cease targeting journalists with baseless accusations.
On April 19, 2024, the first hearing of a case brought against BirGün reporter Asena Tunca and 76 SOL Party (Left Party) members began at the Anatolian 14th Criminal Court of First Instance. This legal saga stems from their presence at a demonstration decrying the government's actions and the Red Crescent’s response to the February 2023 earthquakes.
The case traces back to March 1, 2023, when journalist Asena Tunca, on assignment for BirGün, was arrested while covering a protest in Kadıköy, Istanbul, organized by the SOL Party. Despite clearly identifying herself as press to police and presenting her credentials, Tunca was detained and subjected to torture with reverse handcuffs. Other Birgün employees, Ezgican Ceylan and Ahmet Can Sarıkaya, were also detained at the same protest.
Now, Tunca is facing criminal charges of violating protest and meetings law alongside the demonstrators.
"I followed the actions of democratic mass organizations that day,” Tunca told the court. “When we were surrounded, I said that I was a journalist. After saying this, they held me harshly by the neck and detained me.”
The judge denied the defense lawyer’s request for the immediate acquittal of Tunca and SOL Party members. Instead, he ordered the defendants, including Tunca, to prepare their defense statements for the next hearing on September 27, 2024.
“I said that I was a journalist. After saying this, they held me harshly by the neck and detained me”
Women Press Freedom condemns the charges brought against Asena Tunca and the persistent attempts by Turkish authorities to equate journalists with demonstrators. The right to protest is essential for a healthy democracy, and the press must cover such events without the fear of being violently detained or facing criminal prosecution. Tunca made her status as a journalist clear to the authorities on numerous occasions and was simply carrying out her assignment when she was unjustly detained. She was actively engaged in reporting and should not be subjected to legal repercussions. We call upon the court to dismiss all charges against Tunca and demand an immediate cessation of the targeting of journalists who cover demonstrations.
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