Is Turkish Press Freedom Under Fire?

Two prominent Turkish investigative journalists were arrested in early morning raids on Thursday on charges related to "threats" and "blackmail," the Istanbul prosecutor's office said.

"An investigation is underway with detention, search, and seizure procedures against the suspects," the prosecutor's office added.

Journalists Timur Soykan and Murat Agirel work for opposition dailies Birgun and Cumhuriyet, who condemned their arrest and said they were held because they investigated the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

Imamoglu is seen as the main rival to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a presidential election.

Arrested despite the offer to assist authorities

Enes Ermaner, the lawyer for both journalists, said arrangements had previously been made with the prosecutor for them to voluntarily make statements Thursday.

He posted pictures apparently showing the arrangements on social media.

"The detention of people who have made an appointment to testify and who are known to come to testify is not only unlawful but also clearly shows that Enemy Criminal Law is being applied," Ermaner wrote on X.

İstanbul Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı, bugün ifade vermeye geleceğimizi bilmesine rağmen bugün sabah gazeteciler @muratagirel ve @timursoykan hakkında gözaltı işlemi uyguladı ve her iki gazeteci de ikametinde arama ve el koyma işlemi yapılarak gözaltına alındı.

İfade için… pic.twitter.com/2TY1tHE5cP

— Enes H. Ermaner (@ehermaner) April 10, 2025

The prosecutor's office said the journalists were arrested due to a complaint made by Flash Haber TV's owner, Mehmet Emin Goktug. He is currently in jail pending trial on charges of money laundering and illegal sports betting.

Goktug said he was threatened and blackmailed by Soykan and Agirel "regarding the transfer and purchase of the channel," prosecutors added.

RSF says journalists targeted for raising questions

Reporters Without Borders, known by its French acronym RSF, said the journalists were clearly targeted for raising questions about Imamoglu's arrest.

"It appears that the searches of the journalists' affairs were solely intended to identify their sources, who contributed to the reports they brought to light," Erol Önderoglu, RSF Representative in Turkey said in a statement.

Turkish authorities have been targeting targeting journalists and media outlets since the beginning of the protest movement sparked by the events of 19 March the group added.

Soykan and Agirel can be held for up to four days. No court dates were immediately set.

Both journalists also faced legal pressure in the past on their reporting against the Erdogan government.

Burhanettin Bulut, the deputy chairperson of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said the "sole purpose of those who made Turkey experience these ugly images and used the judiciary as a cudgel is to intimidate journalists who criticise the government and the free media."

Soykan was set to receive the 'Story of the Year' award on Thursday evening, according to the Contemporary Journalists' Association.

"Even if the news about the illegalities in the recent operations and the news they wrote against gangs and sects disturb some people, we will continue to say: Journalism is not a crime! Our colleagues must be released as soon as possible," the association added.

This article was first published by DW.

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