Turkiye: Rozerin Gültekin on Trial for Reporting on Gemlik March
JIN News reporter accused of violating law on demonstrations
Location: Turkey, BursaDate: January 18, 2024
Women Press Freedom vehemently condemns the unjust prosecution and continued harassment of JIN News reporter Rozerin Gültekin, who was wrongfully detained by police while reporting on the Gemlik March in Bursa. Gültekin now faces charges for her professional coverage of the event. If convicted, she could be imprisoned for up to three years. Women Press Freedom denounces the continued persecution of journalists in Turkiye for trying to report. Gültekin identified herself as press when apprehended by police, was still detained, and now faces serious accusations. We urge the court to acquit Gültekin and call on Turkish prosecutors to cease targeting journalists with nuisance lawsuits for simply doing their jobs.
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On June 12, 2022, Rozerin Gültekin, a journalist with JIN News, was unlawfully detained in Bursa alongside 10 others while covering the Gemlik March. This march drew attention to the prolonged isolation of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Leader Abdullah Öcalan and advocated for his release. Despite her clear role as a reporter, Gültekin was taken into custody by the police. She was later released after providing a statement.
Three months later, a lawsuit was filed against her, accusing her of orchestrating, leading, and participating in illegal meetings and demonstrations. She could face anywhere from 1 year and 6 months to 3 years in prison if convicted.
During a hearing in January 2023 at Bursa’s Criminal Court of First Instance, the judge asked Gültekin why she was at the Gemlik March.
The reporter clarified that she was present solely due to her journalistic responsibilities. "The indictment falsely portrayed our intentions, suggesting we resisted leaving the area. However, we were detained by the police as we were exiting," said Gültekin to the court.
In the third hearing of the case on January 18, 2024, a witness for the prosecution claimed that Gültekin did not identify herself as a journalist and was detained after refusing to disperse despite a warning. The hearing has been postponed until March 21, 2024.
This is not the first instance of harassment Gültekin encountered while reporting. In April 2022, while covering a press briefing about Labor Day in Istanbul, she and five other journalists were physically assaulted and restrained by the police. Despite displaying their press credentials, they were forcibly prevented from entering the briefing area and subjected to violence by law enforcement officers. Videos circulated by the journalists showed the brutality they endured.
Women Press Freedom stands firmly in solidarity with Rozerin Gültekin. She is burdened with absurd charges simply for carrying out her duty of covering a significant demonstration. We strongly urge the court to dismiss all charges against Gültekin, enabling her to pursue her work without the looming threat of imprisonment.
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