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January 25, 2025 – Turkey –
Turkey has ramped up a sweeping crackdown on political dissent, targeting pro-Kurdish and left-wing figures, including journalists, politicians, and public figures, under the banner of counter‑terrorism.
In January, authorities arrested 34 individuals, comprising pro‑Kurdish and socialist politicians, journalists, and activists, on terrorism-related charges following coordinated raids across several cities. Bianet reported that at least 45 public figures, nine of whom were journalists, have been remanded in custody since mid-January, accused largely of membership in outlawed organizations or alleged terror propaganda. Among those detained were journalists from critical, independent outlets who had covered protests and Kurdish rights.
This crackdown extends beyond Kurdish circles: in late March, a Swedish journalist, Joakim Medin, was detained on terrorism charges while covering nationwide protests, highlighting that foreign correspondents are not immune. The Committee to Protect Journalists confirmed amid these operations that journalists in Turkey have faced arrest, beatings, deportations, and investigations related to their work.
The targeting of media figures has continued. In April, two senior journalists—Timur Soykan of BirGün and Murat Agirel from Cumhuriyet—were detained under charges of blackmail, which their news organizations say are retaliatory moves tied to their investigation of high-profile political cases. Earlier arrests also included at least three Kurdish journalists, like Elif Akgül, Yıldız Tar, and Ercüment Akdeniz, linked to a probe into the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Congress.
These actions form part of a broader strategy that critics say is aimed at eroding democratic norms ahead of elections. Since the March detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, crackdowns have intensified, with scores detained in raids, opposition municipal officials arrested, and social media controls imposed, sparking mass protests across Turkey.
Human rights groups and press freedom organizations warn that branding journalists and politicians as terrorists threatens to dismantle Turkey’s democratic foundations. Even mainstream and foreign reporters are now at risk, as Turkey’s ruling political party consolidates power and tightens control over media and civil society under sweeping anti-terror legislation.
Reference –
Turkey charges 17 Kurdish journalists, media worker with membership in a terrorist organization
