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January 19, 2026 – France/Turkey –
A French journalist, Raphael Boukandoura, was among 10 people detained by Turkish police on January 19, 2026, during a protest in Istanbul against a Syrian government military offensive that targeted Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria. The demonstration took place outside the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) headquarters in Sancaktepe, where participants were calling for an immediate halt to the offensive and the protection of civilians. Turkish authorities intervened to break up the gathering, leading to multiple arrests, including Boukandoura’s.
Boukandoura, who reports for French outlets including Ouest-France and Courrier International, has been living in Turkey for more than a decade and holds a valid press card, according to French and Turkish media accounts. His detention prompted criticism from media freedom advocates, who argued that his presence at the scene was strictly professional and that he was unlawfully treated as a protester rather than a journalist performing his duty to document unfolding events.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) swiftly condemned the arrest, calling for Boukandoura’s immediate release and urging Turkish authorities to cease what it described as arbitrary interference with journalistic work. Erol Önderoğlu, RSF’s representative in Turkey, emphasised that journalists carrying out legitimate reporting should not be detained simply for covering protests or political demonstrations, especially when they hold recognised credentials.
The detention also drew a response from the French government, which stated that its diplomats were closely monitoring the situation and hoped for Boukandoura’s swift release. Paris made clear in official statements that press freedom is a fundamental right and that journalists should be able to report without fear of arrest or harassment while on assignment.
The protest in Istanbul was part of wider unrest in Turkey triggered by the Syrian offensive; Kurdish communities and supporters across the region responded with demonstrations against the military actions, reflecting deep political and social sensitivities related to the conflict. Police responses to these protests have at times been forceful, leading to broader concerns from human rights and press freedom organisations about the treatment of dissenting voices, including foreign journalists covering sensitive regional developments.
Reference –
French journalist among 10 detained as police break up İstanbul protest over Syria offensive
