Five Journalists Detained in Artvin; Two Released Pending Trial

June 12, 2025 – Turkey – 

Turkish authorities released two journalists—Rahime Karvar and Reyhan Hacıoğlu—from pretrial detention stemming from a broad investigation into media outlets in Istanbul and the Artvin region.

The probe originally led to the arrests in January of six journalists—Karvar, Hacıoğlu, Necla Demir, Ahmet Güneş, Welat Ekin, and Vedat Örüç—on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization,” widely understood as related to alleged ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Reyhan Hacıoğlu, detained on January 21 at her home in Van, was held in Van’s Type T Prison for almost five months before her release on June 13. Welcomed by colleagues and human rights groups, she emphasized that her freedom was incomplete as other journalists remain detained . She vowed to continue her journalistic work, declaring that “the free press has an even greater role now”.

Rahime Karvar, who had been in custody since January 20, appeared before Istanbul’s 24th High Criminal Court on June 12. Her release came under judicial control, including a travel ban, with the next hearing set for July 17 . Karvar refuted the charges, affirming that her reporting on Abdullah Öcalan’s isolation and Kurdish rights reflected journalistic duty, not terrorism. She emphasized: “Journalism is the act of bringing the unknown to the public,” condemning attempts to silence such coverage.

During hearings, journalists’ associations, including the Mesopotamia Women Journalists Association, Dicle Fırat Journalists Association, and Turkey’s Journalists’ Union (TGS) were present to support Karvar. Her defense highlighted that discussions of “Kurdistan” or women’s self-defense are legitimate topics of public interest, not evidence of criminal activity.

The broader case remains ongoing. Four other detained journalists—Demir, Güneş, Ekin, and Örüç—remain in custody. The probe continues amid growing alarm from press freedom advocates who contend the crackdown employs anti-terror laws to criminalize independent journalism, particularly within Kurdish media spaces.

These events underscore a pervasive pattern in Turkey—utilizing anti-terror measures to restrict press freedom. While two journalists have regained provisional freedom, the fate of their colleagues—and the integrity of the judicial process—remains uncertain, prompting calls for transparency, justice, and the release of all journalists held in connection with the investigation.

Reference – 

https://mlsaturkey.com/en/karvar-and-hacioglu-released-in-first-hearings-five-journalists-detained-in-artvin-based-probe#:~:text=Karvar%20and%20Hac%C4%B1o%C4%9Flu%20released%20under%20judicial%20control&text=She%20is%20charged%20with%20%E2%80%9Cmembership,the%20trial%20to%20July%2017.

https://bianet.org/haber/journalist-rahime-karvar-released-pending-trial-308335