Left-wing politician Gökay Akbulut was briefly arrested in Turkey. This shows that Ankara sees critics as “militant enemies of the state,” says the journalists’ association — and advises caution.
The German Association of Journalists (DJV) has advised media professionals against professional and private trips to Turkey.
The temporary arrest of MP Gökay Akbulut when she entered Turkey at the beginning of August shows “once again that the Erdogan autocracy sees its critics as militant enemies of the state and persecutes them whenever they have the opportunity,” said DJV national chairman Frank Überall according to a statement on Monday. If even the parliamentary immunity of a member of parliament does not protect against arrest, the danger for journalists is all the greater.
Arrested for “alleged terror propaganda”
Left-wing politician Akbulut was briefly arrested in Turkey on August 3. An arrest warrant that was canceled by the Turkish authorities was issued because of “alleged terror propaganda,” Akbulut told the “Mannheimer Morgen”. She referred to her Kurdish-Alevi background. The German embassy in Ankara and the foreign office got involved and thus caused her release.
Akbulut has been a member of the Bundestag since 2017. She was born in Turkey. She has repeatedly expressed criticism of the Turkish government and is campaigning for the German ban on the Kurdish Workers’ Party PKK to be lifted. The PKK is classified as a terrorist organization in Turkey, but also in the EU.
Everywhere went on to say: “Any journalist who has ever made critical comments about Turkey, its president or the ruling AKP party in their own articles and on social networks should stay away from the country.” Anything else is an incalculable risk.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
