On Monday (January 27), Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu alleged in a press conference that prosecutor reports had been falsified, leading to the opening of a case against him in early 2023. Since İmamoğlu’s Monday allegations, three journalists have been detained in connection with their reporting on the story.
On Wednesday (January 29), Halk TV Executive Editor Suat Toktaş was detained due to the network’s reporting on İmamoğlu’s allegations.
Journalist Barış Pehlivan and Halk TV Program Director Kürşad Oğuz were released on bail after giving statements to a judge.
A video of Pehlivan’s arrest at Halk TV’s Istanbul headquarters made the rounds on social media Tuesday, and showed the journalist confronted by police as he attempted to enter the building. Prior to his arrest, Pehlivan had broadcast a telephone call between himself and the expert witness referenced by İmamoğlu in his allegations regarding the falsified prosecutor reports.
As part of the investigation into Pehlivan’s exposé, Istanbul’s Chief Prosecutor had ordered the arrest of Toktaş and Oğuz, as well as Halk TV journalists Serhan Asker and Seda Selek.
Barış Pehlivan’s 22 year-long career in journalism has included work as a commentator for Halk TV, as well as writing columns for Cumhuriyet newspaper.
Erdoğan makes statement on journalism, judicial independence
In a statement today, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan commented on Turkey’s justice system, saying:
“No one can control those who make decisions on behalf of the Turkish nation. The Turkish judiciary tore down the walls of fear on the night of July 15 [2016 failed coup d’etat attempt]. We are constantly updating our justice system according to the demands of our nation.”
Referencing the recent arrests of journalists, the president said:
“These people want to practice journalism outside the bounds of the law.”
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Erdoğan characterized the recent arrests of journalists and exposés by Halk TV and İmamoğlu as “Turning legal processes into political material, and putting our judges and prosecutors under pressure.”
“Targeting them is the height of irresponsibility,” the president added.
Written/translated for Medyascope by Leo Kendrick
