VAN - Coalition for the Women in Journalism, a global support organization for women journalists demanded the release of the women journalists who were arrested after breaking the story of two villagers thrown from a military helicopter by the soldiers in Van.
Coalition for the Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) made a written statement, the statement of the CFWIJ is as follows:
"An indictment was filed against Jin News reporter Şehriban Abi, journalist Nazan Sala, and Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporter Zeynep Durgut on terrorism-related charges. Both Şehriban and Nazan were apprehended by the authorities, where they remain behind bars. Zeynep, however, was listed in the indictment but has yet to be arrested. The Van 5th High Criminal Court accepted the case, and judicial proceedings are underway. The journalists, if convicted, face a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the unfounded charges against journalists, and we demand their immediate release.
The indictment against journalists Sehriban and Nazan was completed and officially accepted by the Van 5th High Criminal Court today. The journalists have now been behind bars for 130 days awaiting their trial. Their first hearing of the trial will be held on April 2, 2021.
The prosecutor requested a sentence of up to 15 years in prison on the charge of being members of an armed terrorist organization. Journalist Nazan Sala also faces up to 13 years in jail for accusations of spreading terrorist propaganda through the press.
The foundation and purpose of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) were detailed in the 14-page indictment. The indictment claims that the journalists worked for the organizations affiliated with the Press Committee mentioned in the KCK contract. The document also declared the media outlets, where the journalists work, incite public hatred and enmity, and undermine the state and its institutions by fabricating terrorist propaganda. The prosecution claims the media outlets in question do not typically report sports, magazines, or natural events.
The journalists’ notes, along with some issues of the Özgür Gündem and Azadiya Welat newspapers, were seized during the police raid and cited as evidence. The journalists’ phone calls and digital materials from MA's Van office were also scrutinized as part of the indictment’s preparation.
On October 6, 2020, journalists Sehriban and Nazan were detained during the raid at the Mesopotamia Agency’s Van office. Four days later, they were arrested for reporting about two Kurdish villagers named Servet Turgut and Osman Şiban, who were tortured and thrown from a national army helicopter. One of the victims of the torture, Servet Turgut, died from his injuries on September 30.
CFWIJ is closely monitoring the developments regarding the arrested journalists Şehriban Abi and Nazan Sala. We documented that the journalists were tortured and held in the male ward, facing deplorable conditions. The journalists endured malicious behavior in prison, which violated human rights. During their 14-day quarantine, imposed as part of pandemic precautions, they were held in unhygienic conditions, their basic needs unmet. Despite the cold weather conditions in Van, the journalists were denied the necessities to stay warm. During their four-day detention, the journalists were not allowed to see their lawyers and were therefore unable to prepare their defence.
Over the years, MA has been systematically pressured by the Turkish government. Jin News, the only Turkish news agency with all-female reporters, has been on the government’s radar for quite some time. Unsurprisingly, Jin News journalists consistently face detainments and legal harassment from the government.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands the authorities recognize and reprimand crimes against humanity, rather than putting politically-polarized pressure on press freedom in the country. We reiterate once again that journalism is not a crime. The arrests and methods of legal intimidation against journalists are blatant attacks on press freedom in Turkey. We affirm that our colleagues Şehriban Abi and Nazan Sala fulfill their journalistic duties and do not commit crimes in pursuit of their coverage. We call for their immediate release."