03.12.2024 – Belarusian Journalist Andrey Kuznechyk: Three Years of Imprisonment for Truth – Telling

Andrey Kuznechyk (Андрэй Кузьнечык), born 1978, a journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Belarus Service (RFE/RL – https://www.rferl.org/Belarus), is since 2021 in prison on charges widely condemned as politically motivated. Kuznechyk was initially arrested on 25 November 2021, and sentenced to 10 days on disputed hooliganism charges. Instead of being released, authorities accused him of creating an extremist group, a charge concealed from his family and colleagues for months.

On 8 June 2022, following a one-day trial behind closed doors at the Mahilyou (Магілёў), Belarus, regional court, Kuznechyk was sentenced to six years in one of Belarus’s most restrictive prisons, known for housing political prisoners and notorious conditions. Rights organizations, including RFE/RL and human rights groups in Belarus, have denounced the charges as baseless, identifying Kuznechyk as a political prisoner.

Kuznechyk’s case reflects a broader crackdown on dissent following Belarus’s disputed 2020 presidential election. The regime of President of Belarus Alyaksandr Lukashenka (Алякса́ндр Лукашэ́нка), facing accusations of election fraud, has arrested tens of thousands of citizens and forced many opposition figures into exile. Kuznechyk is one of three RFE/RL journalists currently imprisoned, alongside Ihar Losik (Ігар Лосік), serving 15 years on dubious charges, and Vladyslav Yesypenko (Владислав Єсипенкo), sentenced to six years in the by Russia occupied Crimea on contested claims of explosives possession.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the unjust imprisonment of journalist Andrey Kuznechyk and the broader targeting of independent media in Belarus under the Alyaksandr Lukashenka regime. The baseless charges against Kuznechyk and other journalists reflect an alarming crackdown on press freedom and dissent, which violates fundamental human rights. SEEMO urges Belarusian authorities to release all journalists and political prisoners immediately and ensure a free and independent media environment. SEEMO will closely monitor the situation in Belarus and continue to advocate for the rights of journalists and freedom of expression in Belarus.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

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On 20 November 2024, Gurban Soltan Achilova (Солтан Ачилова or also written Soltan Açylowa or Gurbansoltan Achilova), a 75-year-old photojournalist renowned for documenting human rights abuses in Turkmenistan, was forcibly detained and allegedly hospitalized under false pretenses. This incident, allegedly orchestrated by Turkmen authorities, aimed to block her travel to Geneva, Switzerland where she was set to attend a ceremony for the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (https://www.martinennalsaward.org/). She was in 2021 the Martin Ennals Award Finalist.

Soltan Achilova and her daughter Maya Achilova were scheduled to travel from Ashgabat (Aşgabat / Ашхабад / Ashkhabad / Ashgaba,), Turkmenistan to Geneva, but the special police pushed Soltan and Maya Achilova, as also daughter’s husband into an ambulance and brought them to the specialized hospital. Authorities claiming Achilova had a supposed “infectious disease” arrived at her Ashgabat, apartment early in the morning, forcibly taking her to a specialized medical facility. Despite showing no symptoms, she was allegedly confined for several days without explanation, her family denied access, and even her apartment keys confiscated. Allegedly one official chillingly remarked that she doesn’t need keys in the afterlife, after she asked to bring the apartment keys with her.

This marks the second consecutive year that Achilova has been prevented from attending the Geneva event. In 2023, border officials at Ashgabat Airport allegedly destroyed her passport to halt her travel. Achilova, one of the few independent journalists openly criticizing Turkmenistan’s authoritarian regime, has endured years of intimidation, physical attacks, travel bans, and threats against her family.

Achilova’s work provides a rare glimpse into life under the repressive regime, where independent media is non-existent. In addition to systematic censorship, Turkmenistan is infamous for persecuting dissenters through arbitrary arrests, torture, and even extrajudicial killings.

Achilova’s case is emblematic of the systemic oppression in Turkmenistan, where dissent is met with severe reprisals. The international community is being called upon to pressure Turkmen authorities into halting their harassment of journalists and ensuring the safety and freedoms of those brave enough to speak out.

Soltan Achilova is a pioneering photojournalist and one of the few independent voices in Turkmenistan. Her career in journalism began after the 2006 forced demolition of her family home in Ashgabat, which spurred her to document and expose human rights abuses. Achilova worked for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL – https://www.rferl.org/) and contributed to the critical website Khronika Turkmenistana (Хроника Туркменистана – https://www.hronikatm.com/). It is an independent information resource of the human rights organization Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) – Туркменская Инициатива по Правам Человека (ТИПЧ) with more than 1 million views in a month according to the webside. The director of this news portal Farid Tukhbatullin (Фарид Тухбатуллин) and the editor in chief (Руслан Тухбатуллин) are living in Austria.

Despite facing severe restrictions, including harassment, travel bans, and surveillance, she continues to highlight issues such as forced evictions, food insecurity, inadequate healthcare, and government repression. Achilova has been recognized internationally for her courageous reporting, becoming a finalist for the 2021 Martin Ennals Award. However, Turkmen authorities have repeatedly barred her from attending ceremonies, including the 2023 award event in Geneva. Operating under constant threats, she remains committed to shedding light on the injustices faced by Turkmen citizens.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the alleged forced hospitalization and harassment of veteran photojournalist and human rights defender Soltan Achilova by Turkmen authorities. This deliberate action to obstruct her travel to Geneva, where she was to be honored for her invaluable contributions to human rights, represents a flagrant violation of press freedom and fundamental human rights. SEEMO calls for her immediate and unconditional release, as well as assurances for her safety and freedom to work without intimidation. SEEMO will continue to monitor this situation closely, advocating for accountability and respect for independent journalism in Turkmenistan.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

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On 20 November 2024, Lorena Resulaj, a journalist from SYRI TV’s (https://www.syri.net/) investigative program Piranja, was allegedly physically assaulted by two unidentified individuals while attempting to question one Mayor in Albania, on matters highlighted in the program. The incident occurred in the underground parking area of the municipality building as Mayor arrived by car.

Lorena Resulaj reported that when she entered the car park of the municipality building to approach Mayor, two individuals, believed to be municipal staff, allegedly forcibly removed her and shut the gate behind her. She noted that there were no visible signs prohibiting entry and emphasized that the location was a public institution rather than private property. Despite identifying herself as a journalist, the staff continued to prevent her from reaching the mayor. Following the mayor’s departure, Resulaj attempted to access the municipality through the main entrance using proper identification but was still denied entry and instructed to file a written request instead.

You can see the video of the attack here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EoM9uuQsq/?mibextid=UalRPS

A widely circulated video shows the confrontation, with a Mayor present but failing to intervene. Critics have described this as an apparent effort to obstruct investigative journalism. Resulaj has filed a police report, and the case has been referred to prosecutors.

This is not the first time journalists from Piranja have faced aggression.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the physical assault on journalist Lorena Resulaj while she was attempting to fulfill her professional duties by questioning one Mayor. This incident represents a severe violation of press freedom and the rights of journalists to carry out their investigative work without fear of intimidation or violence. SEEMO calls on Albanian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure the safety of media professionals. SEEMO will be closely monitoring the developments of this case to advocate for justice and the protection of press freedoms in Albania.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation#ngo #journalist #albania #SYRITV #Piranja #LorenaResulaj #journalistattack #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

The Ministry of Information and Telecommunications in Serbia has issued a strong condemnation of two incidents targeting journalists in Serbia, underscoring the urgent need to protect press freedom and uphold the Law on Public Information and Media.

On 20 November 2024, incident unfolded in Belgrade, Serbia when journalists from the pro-governmental TV Informer (https://informer.rs/tv/live-tv) were subjected to harassment and physical assault by a group of demonstrators. While covering events in the city, reporters Branka Lazić, Lidija Makragić, Milica Škorić, and cameraman Nikola Palamarević faced verbal provocations before being physically attacked. The Ministry described the event as a grave infringement on journalistic rights, emphasizing that obstructing the press while they fulfill their professional duties is a severe violation of media law. It called for immediate legal actions against those responsible to ensure accountability and deterrence.

On the same day, a verbal attack was reported outside the courthouse in Novi Sad, Serbia. Emilija Marić, editor-in-chief of Novosadska Televizija (https://novosadska.tv/), became the target of insults and harassment while reporting on a protest involving a blockade of the prosecutor’s office and court premises. The Ministry highlighted the unacceptable nature of such conduct, stressing that journalists must be allowed to work without intimidation or violence.

In its statement, the Ministry condemned both incidents, calling them direct assaults on media freedom and the democratic right to free information. It urged citizens to respect the role of journalists and refrain from actions that obstruct their work or compromise their safety. The Ministry also demanded a prompt and effective response from law enforcement to hold the perpetrators accountable and reinforce protections for journalists.

These attacks have sparked significant concern from media organizations and advocacy groups. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that journalists can perform their duties free from fear and underscored the importance of safeguarding press freedom as a cornerstone of democracy.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the recent attacks on journalists from TV Informer in Belgrade and the verbal harassment of Emilija Marić, of “Novosadska Televizija,” in Novi Sad. Such incidents represent blatant violations of press freedom and undermine the safety of media professionals in Serbia. SEEMO emphasizes the urgent need for authorities to ensure a safe environment for journalists to perform their duties without fear of violence or intimidation. SEEMO will be closely monitoring these cases and calls for swift, transparent action against the perpetrators to uphold democratic principles and the rule of law.

However SEEMO is asking the state officials in Serbia, including the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications, to react in every case of an attack on journalists in Serbia. This form of reaction only if some journalists are attacked, is not a way of respecting press freedom and democracy in Serbia.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

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The trial of journalist Volha Radzivonava (Вольга Радзівонава) began on 16 November 2024 at the Minsk (Мінск) City Court, Belarus. Volha faces charges under multiple sections of the Belarusian Criminal Code, including discrediting the Republic of Belarus, inciting racial, national, religious, or social hostility, and insulting the President of Belarus Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko (Аляксандр Рыгоравіч Лукашэнка). If convicted, she could face up to six years of restricted freedom or imprisonment.

Radzivonava was arrested on 7 March 2024, and during her detention at the Minsk remand center, she underwent medical evaluation at Navinki hospital in Minsk. Her arrest has had significant personal repercussions, as her mother, aged over 80 and in poor health, requires continuous care.

On 30 October 2024, Radzivonava was officially recognized as a political prisoner by human rights organizations.

The international community continues to monitor Radzivonava’s case closely, raising concerns over the implications for journalistic freedom and human rights in Belarus.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the ongoing trial against journalist Volha Radzivonava in Minsk, where she faces politically motivated charges, including defamation and incitement to discord, with a potential sentence of up to six years. SEEMO expresses its solidarity with Volha, recognizing her courageous journalistic work in a repressive environment. This trial represents a clear attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence independent voices in Belarus. SEEMO calls for her immediate release and urges Belarusian authorities to respect international standards of freedom of expression. SEEMO will closely monitor this case and advocate for justice for Volha Radzivonava.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

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On 13 November 2024 during a protest by residents in front of a Kosovo company in Ferizaj / Uroševac, Kosovo journalist Qliresa Hasani of local TV Festina (https://www.facebook.com/tvfestina/) allegedly faced both obstruction in carrying out her duties and derogatory sexist remarks. While reporting on the event, a company official allegedly hindered her work and made inappropriate comments, saying, that it is not allowed to film the institution’s building, unless she wants to take a picture with him. This unacceptable behavior not only disrupted Hasani’s journalistic duties but also targeted her dignity on both a professional and personal level.

The incident highlights a broader issue of gender-based discrimination against journalists and poses a severe violation of media freedom principles. The Kosovo Journalists Association (AJK – Asociacioni i Gazetarëve të Kosovës – https://www.agk-ks.org/en/ ) has strongly condemned this behavior, describing it as an attempt to undermine the journalist’s role in informing the public and an affront to the values of free and independent media.

This troubling event underscores the ongoing challenges journalists, especially women, face in the pursuit of truth and accountability.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the sexist language and obstruction faced by journalist Qliresa Hasani during her coverage of a protest in Ferizaj / Uroševac, Kosovo. Such actions not only violate press freedom but also undermine professional and personal dignity, particularly through discriminatory behavior on a gender basis. SEEMO calls on the responsible company to take immediate disciplinary measures against the staff member involved and urges authorities to ensure journalists’ safety and freedom from intimidation or discrimination. SEEMO will continue to monitor this case closely to support media freedom and the protection of journalists in their professional roles.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

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The Basic Court in Loznica, Serbia, has convicted retired police officer of endangering the safety of Vladimir Mitrić, a journalist for Večernje Novosti (https://www.novosti.rs/c/tag/579/loznica) from Loznica. In a retrial held on 4 November 2024 the court sentenced this former policeman to a one-year prison term, suspended for six months, and imposed a three-year restraining order, prohibiting him from approaching or communicating with Mitrić.

This verdict is not yet final, as both the prosecution and this individual have the right to appeal.

In a prior ruling in February 2023, the former policeman was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and fined 40,000 RSD (341.92 EUR) for insulting Mitrić. However, the Šabac, Serbia, Higher Court overturned the part of the decision related to endangering safety, sending it back to the Loznica court for reconsideration. The defamation ruling, however, was upheld.

The policeman faced these charges due to an incident where he allegedly said that Mitrić will get beaten again for sure, while insulting Mitrić at a restaurant in 2022. After insulting him, the policeman then said to him allegedly according to media reports in Serbia, “That guy will beat him up again, I know for sure.”

The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Loznica initiated charges for endangering safety under Article 138 of the Criminal Code, which defines such threats as punishable by fines or imprisonment. Mitrić filed a separate private lawsuit for defamation, and the court combined the cases into a single proceeding.

The court found that the policeman’s words triggered fear and anxiety in Mitrić, who has been under police protection since 2005 following a brutal attack outside his home. The judge highlighted Mitrić’s persistent sense of insecurity stemming from past events and emphasized that personal safety under the law also accounts for subjective feelings of threat.

Mitrić expressed relief over the court’s recognition of the former policeman guilt, emphasizing that the acknowledgment of wrongdoing and the detailed reasoning behind the judgment were more significant to him than the sentence itself.

Mitrić has faced threats and attacks throughout his career, including a 2005 incident where he was severely beaten after reporting on sensitive topics. The assault, carried out by a police officer, was described by Mitrić as an attempted murder. Despite extensive legal proceedings, the attacker received lenient sentences and avoided full accountability. Mitrić continues to face threats and harassment, including recent verbal abuse and threats to his safety. While the journalist acknowledges improvements in judicial impartiality and support from local police, his investigative work, which exposes corruption and crime, remains a source of danger. His persistent efforts have contributed to the exposure and prosecution of corrupt officials, highlighting the risks journalists face in holding powerful figures accountable. Vladimir Mitrić has lived under police protection for 18 years after being beaten in 2005.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) commends the Basic Court in Loznica, Serbia for delivering a decision that upholds justice and underscores the importance of protecting journalists from threats and harassment. The court’s acknowledgment of the harm caused to Vladimir Mitrić and its detailed reasoning in the judgment set a strong precedent for safeguarding freedom of the press. SEEMO will continue to monitor this case closely, ensuring that the rights and safety of journalists remain a priority in the judicial process.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

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Journalist Srđan Škoro has filed a lawsuit against the one Serbian Minister, following alleged accusations that Škoro incited violence against President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić’s son, Danilo Vučić. The Ministry’s official website published these claims on 8 July 2024.

According to Škoro’s lawyer, Ivan Ninić, the government’s dissemination of unproven accusations gravely damaged Škoro’s reputation. The legal complaint highlights that these false claims reached a vast audience both domestically and internationally, further impacting Škoro’s public image.

Ninić emphasizes that Škoro, as a private citizen, lacks the media influence or resources to effectively respond to a government official’s accusations. The lawsuit argues that this persons remarks, amplified by the Ministry’s widespread distribution, are a clear violation of Škoro’s rights. Consequently, Škoro is demanding 250,000 RSD (2,136.96 EUR) in compensation for the harm caused to his reputation and dignity.

Srđan Škoro, born on 17 May 1963 in Belgrade, Serbia, a historian and seasoned journalist. He started his journalism career in 1978 and worked for various Serbian print media, such as Duga, Politika Ekspres, and NIN (https://www.nin.rs/). He held editorial roles at Večernje Novosti (https://www.novosti.rs/c) and reported for Radio Politika. In 2014, he faced a dismissal from Večernje Novosti after criticizing the new Serbian government, leading to a legal battle in which courts ruled in his favor. He later engaged in political activism.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) will continue to monitor this case closely.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

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Journalist Faik Akgün, founder of the news site Elazığ Gerçekleri (https://elaziggercekleri.com/) from Elazığ in Türkiye / Turkey, has faced life-threatening backlash after publishing a critical article about the poor state of the Sarayatik neighborhood in Elazığ, Türkiye / Turkey. In the 11 November 2024 piece, Akgün reported on complaints, including overflowing garbage and frequent water pipe issues, accusing local politician in power of prioritizing political activities over essential neighborhood services. The report featured photographs highlighting these problems.

After publishing the report, two local politicians allegedly sent Akgün a threatening messages. One was saying on social media, “We’ll meet eventually… sometimes accounts must be settled in this world.” Another local politician, echoed the hostility, warning Akgün that he was overstepping his bounds and that retreat was no longer an option. This person statement insinuated severe consequences for the journalist’s reporting.

Akgün took legal action, filing complaints with the Elazığ,Türkiye / Turkey Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. He also raised concerns about alleged political affiliations.

It is not the first time that Akgün received a threat. In 2022 he faced pressures when reporting on one controversial case about a medical student whose death was linked to intense religious pressure. Akgün reported about the student who committed suicide.

That investigation led to his dismissal from Günışığı (https://www.gunisigigazetesi.net/) newspaper and threats from religious groups. Even after launching Elazığ Gerçekleri to maintain his independence, Akgün has continued to encounter intimidation, such as being attacked while documenting police actions.

Despite the danger, Akgün asserts his commitment to journalism, emphasizing that he will not be silenced. His case has highlighted the broader challenges of press freedom in Türkiye / Turkey, with calls for stronger protection of journalists and investigations into the threats against him. Also the Turkish organization Bianet (https://bianet.org/) reported about this case.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the threats made against journalist Faik Akgün. Intimidation aimed at silencing journalists is unacceptable and poses a severe threat to press freedom. SEEMO calls on authorities to take immediate action to protect Akgün and ensure a safe environment for journalists. SEEMO will be closely monitoring this case to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable and that the fundamental rights of media professionals are upheld.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

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