Vienna, 10/08/2017
The South East Europe Media Organisation. (SEEMO) expressed dismay after learning that Turkish authorities have issued 35 detention warrants against journalists and media workers, who are accused of having ties with U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.
The detention warrants have been issued today. Previously police forces carried out raids in Istanbul and detained nine people, including the editor of the daily Birgün, Burak Ekici. According to Ekici police also seized his mobile phone and laptop.
Arrested journalists are accused of using an encrypted messaging app, which authorities claim is “a common way Gullen supporters use to communicate amongst themselves”. They are also suspected of allegedly “being a part of a terrorist organisation”.
SEEMO once again expressed deep concern for the safety of all journalists and media workers in Turkey. SEEMO also urges the authorities to release all journalists and media workers in the country who have been arrested.
SEEMO is a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South, East and Central Europe and its press freedom work is supported by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) project, as part of a grant by the European Commission.