SIRNAK - Journalist Zeynep Durgut, who was detained and released on the grounds of her social media posts and "anonymous witness" statements, said, "We once again saw how disturbed some people were about the realities that we were reporting with my arbitrary detention."

 

On February 14, police raided the house of Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporter Zeynep Durgut in the Cizre district of Şırnak. Journalist Durgut, who was handcuffed behind the back, was detained within the scope of the investigation launched by the Şırnak Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on the grounds of "anonymous witness" statements and social media posts. While a confidentiality decision was placed on the investigation file, Durgut was held in the Cizre Police Department for 4 days. Journalist Durgut, who was transferred to the Şırnak Courthouse yesterday, was released on condition of judicial control by the Criminal Court of Peace after her statement was taken at the prosecutor's office.

 

'I EXPERIENCED THE UNLAWFULNESS THIS TIME'

 

Durgut, who was detained 3 times while working as a journalist in Şırnak and against whom 4 separate investigations were opened, said that her hands were handcuffed behind back and taken to an armored vehicle on February 14, and she was held inside the vehicle while she was handcuffed behind her back for a long time. Stating that she is no stranger to the violence of the raid on her home, Durgut said, “Every day I report the police raids on people's homes. I listen to the unlawfulness experienced during house raids and photograpg their homes after those raids. This time, I personally experienced the unlawfulness that we were reporting on.”

 

‘WHY ARE YOU WORKING ON SUCH STORIES?'

 

Stating that everyone knows that she is a journalist in Şırnak, Durgut said, "I was not treated like a journalist in custody, but as a 'member of a terrorist organization'. I was detained for 4 days and during this time the news agency I worked for was marginalized. They asked me why I was working os such stories instead of working on tabloid news. The journalist decides for herself which stroeis to work on. No one can tell a journalist what to do."

 

'THEY ARE DISTURBED BY THE TRUTHS'

 

Stating that she works on the ground every day as a journalist, Durgut said, “They could have summoned me to the police statin and take my statement and I would go. Instead they raided my home and detained me. There are many violations of rights in the Şırnak region. As a journalist, I cannot do my job freely. There are too many obstacles in front of us. But despite all the pressures and obstacles, we continue our profession. We don't steal, we don't use violence and we don't kill anyone. Our aim is to be the voice of the people. With this detention, we have seen once again how some people are disturbed by the truths we are reporting.”

 

'I WILL CONTINUE TO WRITE'

 

Durgut said, "Women are exposed to violence the most in Turkey. I want to be the voice of women and abused children here. My agency is their voice. After today, I will continue to do whatever I can. I will continue to report on everything I have seen and witnessed. We will never compromise from writing the truth."

 

PHYSICAL SUPPORT IS ALSO IMPORTANT'

 

Durgut, who thanked everyone who was in solidarity with her during her detention, said, “When a journalist is detained, it is necessary to support her/him in every way. Dozens of our journalist friends are being held in prisons today. It is especially important to be in solidarity with journalists."  

 

 

MA / Omer Akin