Complete List of 104 Journalists in Turkish Jails
One of the essential pillar of democracy is freedom of press and if this pillar is missing in a democratic country, then that country can no longer be considered democratic. True, Turkey hold free elections and it has competing political parties but a closer examination of its practice of laws and treatment of journalists and dissents would reveal a darker truth. Under its Anti-Terror Law, Turkey has jailed thousands of people accused of spreading “separatist propaganda;” however, the crimes for vast majority has been defending minority rights such as of the Kurds or of the Christians. For example, publisher Fatih Tas was prosecuted for translating and publishing the writings of Noam Chomsky, summarizing the history of the human rights of Kurd people in Turkey.
Journalists have long been a target for the government. Turkey holds one of the highest spot in jailing journalists, often topping China and Iran. A new complete list has emerged documenting total journalists in Turkish jails, posted below by The Global Times:
Below you will find the whole list of detained/arrested/convicted journalists based on their opinion, writings or publications (although in some cases even pre-publication.) This is the list of disgrace of democracy in Turkey. As of March 7, 2012 there are 104 (one hundred and four) journalists, writers or publishers arrested for their opinion in Turkish jails.
The list includes their position as a journalist/writer, the accusations (or convictions if any) and the last line is the name of the jail they are being held and their date of arrest.
Translated from Turkish original by ANGA (Journalist Friends of Ahmet and Nedim)
1- Abdulcabbar Karabeğ,
Azadiya Welat Mersin Rep,
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Mersin, Since 26 09 2010
2- Abdullah Çetin,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Kurtalan Rep.
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Diyarbakır, 16 12 2011
3- Ahmet Akyol,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Adana
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Batman, 19 04 2011
4- Ahmet Birsin,
Gün TV (Diyarbakır), Chief Editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Diyarbakır, 14 04 2009
5- Ahmet Şık,
Habervesaire editor, Bilgi University Teacher
Allegation: Aiding and abetting an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri, 6 03 2011
6- Ali Buluş,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Mersin Rep
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Karaman-Ermenek
7- Ali Konar,
Azadiya Welat, Elazığ Rep
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Malatya, 27 05 2010
8- Aydın Yıldız,
Dicle Haber Ajansı DIHA Mersin Rep
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Gaziantep, 01 10 2011
9- Ayşe Oyman,
Özgür Gündem Editor,
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Bakırköy ,24 12 2011
10- Baha Okar,
Bilim ve Gelecek Journal editor
Allegation: Being member of a terrorist organization (Devrimci Karargâh)
Tekirdağ, 25 09 2010
11- Bahar Kurt,
Tavır Magazine Publisher
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (DHKP/C)
Bakırköy, April 2011
12- Barış Pehlivan,
Odatv, Chief Editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization; destroying, using not in its purpose, stealing and obtaining with deceit of documents pertaining to state security(Ergenekon)
Silivri, 18 02 2011
13- Barış Terkoğlu,
Odatv, News Editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization; destroying, using not in its purpose, stealing and obtaining with deceit of documents pertaining to state security(Ergenekon)
Silivri, 18 02 2011
14- Bayram Namaz,
Atılım gazetesi, writer,
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization, propaganda of terrorist organization(MLKP)
Edirne, 12 09 2006
15- Bayram Parlak,
Gündem gazetesi, Mersin Rep,
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization(PKK),
Ermenek-Karaman, 6 07 2007
16- Bedri Adanır,
Aram Publishing Owner; Kurdish paper Hawar Chief editor,
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization(PKK),
Diyarbakır, 08 01 2010
17- Behdin Tunç,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Şırnak Rep
Convicted
Allegation: Aiding and abetting terrorist organization (PKK),
Diyarbakır 5 04 2007
18- Cengiz Dogan
Azadiya Welat Nusaybin Rep,
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK) Also convicted for terrorist organization propaganda as “Mavi ve Kent” magazine chief editor for 1 year 22 days jail time.
Mardin E Tipi Cezaevi
19- Cengiz Kapmaz,
Özgür Gündem Op-Ed
Allegation: Detained on 22.11.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 25.11.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 25 11 2011
20- Cihan Gün,
Yürüyüş Magazine
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (DHKP-C)
Ankara 28 12 2010
21- Coşkun Musluk,
Odatv, Writer
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 6 03 2011
22- Çağdaş Kaplan,
Dicle Haber Ajansı, (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 24 12 2011
23- Çağdaş Ulus,
Vatan (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 24 12 2011
24- Davut Uçar,
Etik Ajans, Director
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 24 12 2011
25- Deniz Kılıç,
Azadiya Welat, Batman Rep
Convicted
Allegation: Propaganda of a terrorist organization (PKK)
Batman 4 04 2011
26- Deniz Yıldırım,
Aydınlık Magazine, Chief Editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 9 11 2009
27- Dilek Demirel,
Dicle Haber Ajansı, (İzmir)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 24 12 2011
28-Fatih Özgür Aydın,
Artı İvme Mag. Chief Editor
Allegation: Being a part of unofficial demonstration
Tekirdağ
29- Doğan Can Baran,
Odak Mag. Writer
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (THKP-C Resistance Movement)
Kandıra 10 12 2011
30- Ensar Tunca
Azadiya Welat Iğdır Rep,
Allegation: Helping unofficial organization (KCK),
Iğdır 15 02 2011
31- Erdal Süsem,
Eylül Mag. Editor
Convicted
Allegation: Attempting to change the constitutional order by force
Edirne 5 02 2003
32- Erdoğan Altan,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (Batman)
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK),
Batman 19 04 2011
33- Erol Zavar,
Odak Mag, Owner and Chief Editor
Convicted
Allegation: Attempting to change the constitutional order by force
Ankara-Sincan
Being treated for bladder cancer
34- Ertuş Bozkurt
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) Editor
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 24 12 2011
35- Fatma Koçak,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) Chief Editor (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy
36- Faysal Tunç,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Şırnak Rep
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Kalkandere 5 04 2007
37- Ferhat Çiftçi
Azadiya Welat Gaziantep Rep,
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK), propaganda of the same
Gaziantep 16 02 2011
38- Feyyaz Deniz,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Ankara Rep,
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK),
Bolu 7 06 2011)
39- Füsun Erdoğan,
Özgür Radio, Chief Editor
Allegation: To form an illegal organization or being a member of such (MLKP)
Kocaeli 12 09 2006
40- Hakan Soytemiz,
RED Mag, writer
Allegation: Aiding and abetting illegal organization members (Devrimci Karargâh)
Tekirdağ 25 09 2010
41- Halit Güdenoğlu,
Yürüyüş Mag, owner and chief editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (DHKP-C)
Ankara 28 12 2010
42- Hamdiye Çiftçi,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) (Hakkari)
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Bitlis 14 06 2010
43- Hamit Dilbahar,
Azadiya Welat writer
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Erzurum 15 02 2010
44- Hatice Duman,
Atılım Paper,Owner and chief editor
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (MLKP)
Verdict: Life in prison (4.5.2011) Appealed. File on line in Supreme Court.
Kocaeli-Gebze 2002
45- Hikmet Çiçek,
Aydınlık Mag, Ankara Rep
Allegation: Destroying, using not in its purpose, stealing and obtaining with deceit of documents pertaining to state security(Ergenekon)
Silivri 29 03 2008
46- Hüseyin Deniz,
Evrensel Daily
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra
47- İsmail Yıldız,
Dersim Paper editor
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra
48- Kaan Ünsal,
Yürüyüş Mag
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (DHKP-C)
Ankara 28 12 2010
49- Kadri Kaya,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Diyarbakır Rep
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Batman 19 04 2011
50- Kazım Şeker,
Özgür Gündem Daily, editor
Allegation: Detained on 22.11.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 25.11.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 25 11 2011
51- Kenan Karavil,
Radio Dünya (Adana), Producer
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK), committing crimes in behalf of that organization, propaganda
Term: 6 years 3 months (TMK 7/2)
Adana 11 12 2009
52- Kenan Kırkaya,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DUHA) Ankara Rep
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra
53- Mazlum Özdemir,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) (Diyarbakır)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra
54- Mehmet Emin Yıldırım,
Azadiya Welat Chief Editor
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra
55- Mehmet Güneş,
Türkiye Gerçeği Mag. Op-ed
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Devrimci Karargah),no indictment yet.
Tekirdağ 10 12 2011
56- Mehmet Karaaslan,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) Mersin
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK) and propaganda.
Birecik 21 04 2007
57- Mehmet Yeşiltepe,
Devrimci Hareket Mag writer
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Devrimci Karargâh)
Tekirdağ
58- Miktat Algül,
Mezitli FM, Chief Editor
Allegation: Forming and leading a crime organization.
Adana
59- Murat Aydın
Dicle Haber Ajansi (DIHA) Muş
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Bayburt 22 10 2011
60- Murat Çiftçi
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA) (Ankara)
Allegation: Detained & under arrest since 24.01.2012 KCK operation. No indictment yet.
Şanlıurfa 24 01 2012
61- Musa Kurt,
Kamu Emekçileri Cephesi Mag, Chief Editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (DHKP-C)
Ankara 28 12 2010
62- Mustafa Balbay
Cumhuriyet Daiy, Ankara Rep / Writer
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 6 03 2009
In solitary confinement since 28 02 2011
63- Mustafa Gök,
Ekmek ve Adalet Mag, Ankara Rep
Convicted /
Allegation: Attempting to change constitutional order by force. (DHKP/C)
Serving life term
Ankara-Sincan February 2004
64- Müyesser Yıldız,
Odatv
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 6 03 2011
65 – Naciye Yavuz,
Yürüyüş Mag (İstanbul)
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (DHKP-C)
Ankara 28 12 2010
66- Nahide Ermiş,
Özgür Halk Mag. and Demokratik Modernite Mag, Publishing Council
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy
67- Nedim Şener,
Milliyet Daily
Allegation: Aiding and abetting an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 6 March 2011
68- Nevin Erdemir,
Özgür Gündem Daily, Editor
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy
69- Nilgün Yıldız,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), (Mardin)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy
70- Nurettin Fırat,
Özgür Gündem Daily, Writer
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra
71- Nuri Yeşil,
Azadiya Welat Dersim Rep,
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK),
Elbistan 27 05 2010
72- Oktay Candemir,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) ex-journalist
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra
73- Ozan Kılınç,
Azadiya Welat gazetesi Chief Editor
Allegation: Terrorist organization propaganda (PKK)
Diyarbakır 22 07 2010
74- Ömer Çelik,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra
75- Ömer Çiftçi,
Demokratik Modernite Mag, License Holder
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra
76- Ömer Faruk Çalışkan
Özgür Halk Chief Editor
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Kandıra 19 07 2008
77- Pervin Yerlikaya,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy
78- Ragıp Zarakolu,
Evrensel Daily, Op-Ed / Writer / Publisher
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK), no indictment.
Kocaeli 1 11 2011
79- Ramazan Pekgöz,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) Editor (Diyarbakır)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra
80- Rohat Emekçi,
Gün Radio (Diyarbakır), Anchor
Allegation: Terrorist organization propaganda (PKK)
Mardin
81- Ruken Ergün,
Azadiya Welat Daily Chief Editor,
Allegation: Terrorist organization propaganda (PKK)
Adana-Karataş
82- Sadık Topaloğlu,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) (Şanlıurfa)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra
83- Sait Çakır,
Odatv, Op-Ed
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 6 03 2011
84- Sebahattin Sumeli,
Özgür Halk Mag. Editor,
Convicted
Allegation: To have explosives present, commiting crimes in the name of an organization (PKK), being a member of an organization, using false ID’s, propaganda.
Tekirdağ
85- Sedat Şenoğlu,
Atılım Daily, Chief Editor
Allegation: To have dangerous items present or to exchange, to attempt to change constitutional order, to have unlicenced firearms or ammunition present or to purchase aforementioned, forgery. (MLKP)
Edirne 12 09 2006
86- Semiha Alankuş,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Editor (Diyarbakır)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy
87- Sevcan Atak
Özgür Halk editor
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Karataş 18 06 2010
88- Seyithan Akyüz,
Azadiya Welat Newspaper Adana Rep
Allegation: Terrorist organization propaganda (KCK)
İskenderun 11 12 2009
89-Sibel Güler,
Özgür Gündem Daily, ex-editor
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy
90- Sinan Aygül,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) (Bitlis)
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Muş 23 01 2011
91- Soner Yalçın,
Odatv, Owner / Journalist
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization; destroying, abusing, stealing or posessing national security documents (Ergenekon)
Silivri 18 02 2011
92- Songül Karatagna,
Özgür Gündem Daily, Op-Ed
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK), no indictment.
Bakırköy 1 11 2011
93- Şahabettin Demir
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) Van
Convicted
Allegation: Terrorist organization propaganda
Bitlis
94- Tuncay Özkan
Kanal Biz Tv Licence Holder / Journalist
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 27 09 2008
In solitary confinement since 28 02 2011
95- Turabi Kişin
Özgür Gündem Daily editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK), no indictment.
Kandıra 2 01 2012
96- Turan Özlü,
Ulusal Channel, Chief Editor
Allegation: Broadcasting phone conversations of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan; being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 23 08 2001
97- Vedat Kurşun,
Azadiya Welat Newspaper, Chief Editor
Convicted
Allegation: Propaganda of the organization or its purpose (PKK)
Conviction: 166 years 6 months in prison. Cancelled by the supreme court. Court convicted 10 years in prison. He also has two other cases that he was convicted for 3 years and 4.5 years in prison.
Diyarbakır
98- Yalçın Küçük,
Journalist / Writer
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 6 03 2011
99- Yüksel Genç,
Özgür Gündem Daily Op-Ed
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy
100- Zeynep Kuray,
BirGün Daily (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy
101- Ziya Çiçekçi,
Özgür Gündem Daily Licence Holder and Chief Editor
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra
102- Zuhal Tekiner,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), License Holder (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy
103- Serdar Engin
Özgür Gündem editor
Convicted
Allegation: To write in favor of crime or criminals
Silivri
104- Tayyip Temel
Azadiya Welat ex-Chief Editor
No allegations yet.
Diyarbakır 4 10 2011
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