ISTANBUL - Journalist Eylem Babayiğit was arrested on charges of "membership of terrorist organization". Eylem Babayiğit sent a message saying "Free Press cannot be silenced."

 

Journalist Eylem Babayiğit, who was detained on 22 January as part of the investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in which 6 journalists were arrested, was transferred to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan after the completion of the security procedures.

 

The prosecutor's office referred Eylem Babayiğit to the Criminal Judicature of Peace on Duty for arrest on the charge of "membership of terrorist organization", based on an examination of the file without hearing her statement.

 

When Eylem Babayiğit's lawyers learnt that the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on duty was the same judge who decided to arrest 13 journalists in 1 month, they requested "recusal of the judge". The lawyers' request for "recusal of the judge" was not accepted.

 

The judge ruled for the arrest of journalist Eylem Babayiğit on the allegation of "membership of terrorist organization". It is learned that Eylem Babayiğit will be taken to Bakırköy Women's Closed Prison.

 

Eylem Babayiğit sent a message through her lawyers and said, "No matter where we are, we will continue to write inside and outside. The free press cannot be silenced."

 

Journalists Necla Demir, Rahime Karvar, Ahmet Güneş, Welat Ekin, Vedat Örüç and Reyhan Hacıoğlu, who were detained within the same investigation as Eylem Babayiğit, who was accused of "membership of terrorist organization" due to her television programmes, were arrested.