The undersigned press freedom and freedom of expression organisations condemn in the strongest terms the detention of BirGün reporter İsmail Arı and call for his immediate and unconditional release.
Arı was detained in the Turhal district of Tokat province on 21 March, where he had traveled to visit family during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, and was subsequently transferred to Ankara. The investigation, conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, brought charges of ‘publicly disseminating misleading information’ and ‘insulting a public official’ under the Turkish Penal Code. The prosecutor’s office referred Arı directly to a criminal judgeship with a request for his arrest without even taking his statement.
Arı began his career at BirGün’s Ankara bureau and is known for his reporting on corruption in public institutions. He has received awards from the Istanbul Medical Association, the Ankara Medical Association, and the Turkish Journalists Association. During police questioning, Arı was asked about his previous news stories and social media posts.
The fact that the investigation file is built around Arı’s journalistic output — his published reports, social media posts and attendance at public events — makes clear that routine journalistic activity is being treated as criminal evidence. Covering stories, speaking with sources and investigating matters of public interest are not criminal acts.
This arrest is part of a systematic and ongoing effort to criminalise journalism in Türkiye. Such actions targeting freedom of expression harm not only journalists but also the public’s fundamental right to access information. We call on the authorities to stop using criminal legislation as a tool to silence journalists and demand the immediate release of İsmail Arı. A free press is essential for a democratic society.
Signatories:
Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
ARTICLE 19
Dicle Fırat Gazeteciler Derneği (DFG)
Progressive Journalists Association (PJA)
PEN Norway
International Press Institute (IPI)
Press Workers’ Union of Turkey (DİSK Basın-İş)
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)