Turkey: CFWIJ Welcomes The Dismissal Of The Case Against Reporter Zeynep Durgut
Location: Turkey, Şırnak
Date: January 28, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The investigation launched against the Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporter Zeynep Durgut was dismissed by the prosecutor. Zeynep was detained and released after following stories in Şırnak. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) welcomes the decision. However, we demand similar verdicts be ordered for all journalists who are being investigated or prosecuted. Journalism is not a crime.
According to MA, as part of the investigation initiated by the Cizre Chief Public Prosecutor's Office determined that the images of the journalist’s camera did not constitute a crime. The Prosecutor's Office decided to dismiss the investigation since it was not possible to occur due to its elements.
Speaking to CFWIJ, Zeynep emphasized that the decision on the case against her is a decision to be made. The journalist said, “We are constantly prevented as journalists in our fields, especially as female journalists. They do not want the truth to come to light by preventing us,” “They fear the truth will be stated to the public. But the more these attacks increase, we reach truth and we proceed stronger and confidently on the way we are walking,” she added.
The MA reporter was taken into custody by security forces while she was on the way to Şırnak on October 8, 2020. In her detention, the images she took of the local people in caves, which were used to store their cheese instead of refrigerators, were deleted by the security forces. An investigation was conducted after her release and she faced charges of "illegally seizing or disseminating personal data".
This detention was not Zeynep’s first one. She was again detained with her colleagues from JinNews in Cizre on 17 December 2020. Journalists Rojda Aydın and Derya Ren were released after the General Information Scan (GBT) conducted by the police, but Zeynep Durgut was taken to the Şırnak Police Station, where she remained in police custody. Thereafter she was transferred to the courthouse after testimonial proceedings at the police station. The journalist was brought to Van within the scope of the investigation initiated by the Van Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Durgut was referred to Van 2nd Criminal Magistrate's Office for allegations of acting on behalf of the terrorist organization.
The journalist was questioned about the photos on the memory card in her camera. She stated that the photos were taken for news purposes related to the Free Women's Movement (TJA). She attested that the situation was not a crime. After the statements, the court decided that the journalist was not suspected of fleeing and obfuscating the evidence. Zeynep was released conditionally on December 22, 2020, with an imposed travel ban.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the systematic intimidation policies implemented against journalists through the judiciary. We demand the immediate abandonment of this intimidation and reduced press freedom in Turkey. Informing the public is the fundamental right of journalists and cannot be prevented.
...
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world, and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
Follow us on Instagram @womeninjournalism and Twitter @CFWIJ. Our website is WomenInJournalism.org and we can be reached at press@womeninjournalism.org
The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely monitors the incidents in Turkey with great concern. Since March 8, Women's Day, police violence against women journalists increasingly continues in the country. As the coalition, we urge the Turkish state to provide a free environment for journalists. Following the news is our most fundamental democratic right to report. We demand the immediate release of our detained colleagues. Journalism is not a crime. Journalism cannot be prevented.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.