Turkish Journalist Jailed After Reporting on Extortion Scheme Tied to Erdoğan’s Name

September 02, 2025 – Turkey –

A Turkish journalist has been jailed after uncovering an extortion scheme in the central province of Nevşehir, where local officials allegedly invoked the names of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya to pressure business owners for money. The journalist’s reporting detailed how officials leveraged political connections and Erdoğan’s image to lend credibility to their demands, creating fear among targeted citizens.

Instead of investigating the allegations, Turkish authorities swiftly detained the journalist, accusing them of spreading disinformation and defaming state institutions. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from press freedom advocates, who argue that the case is another example of Turkey’s weaponisation of its judiciary to silence critical voices.

Rights groups highlight that Turkey remains one of the world’s leading jailers of journalists, with dozens currently behind bars. This latest arrest underscores how reporting on corruption, particularly when it implicates figures close to the ruling party, carries immense risk.

For journalists working under increasing repression, the jailing signals a broader climate of fear where exposing wrongdoing is met not with accountability, but punishment. The case adds to mounting concerns over shrinking democratic space and the erosion of independent media in Turkey.

Reference –

https://stockholmcf.org/turkish-journalist-jailed-after-reporting-on-extortion-scheme-involving-local-officials-using-erdogans-name/