Vienna, 15/12/2014
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) was appalled to learn about yesterday’s developments in Istanbul and detention of 31 people, among them high ranking media employees, TV serials producers and directors, and managers of the daily Zaman and the Samanyolu Media Group. They were taken into custody under charges of establishing, heading or being a member of a terrorist organization, as well as fraud and slander.
The operation occurred shortly after last month’s law passed by the Parliament, which enables prosecutors to use the argument of reasonable suspicion when detaining people. The suspects and lawyers have so far been restricted from seeing the content of the investigation file, due to a confidentiality order.
Numerous of people have gathered in front of the Çağlayan Courthouse, showing their support for those taken into custody, and many human rights organisations and initiatives have already expressed their concern.