AMED - Stating that the indictment for 16 arrested journalists has not been prepared for 5 months, DFG and MKGP called "The judiciary should stop being a partner in this shame that has turned into punishment".

 

Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) and Mesopotamia Women Journalists Platform (MKGP) made a statement in front of Diyarbakır Courthouse regarding the 5th month of detention of 16 journalists arrested in Amed on June 16. A large number of journalists and representatives of non-governmental organisations supported the statement, in which photographs of the arrested journalists and the banner "Free press does not bow" were unveiled. Solidarity with Families Losing Their Relatives at the Cradle of Civilizations, Unity and Culture Association (MEBYA-DER), Amed Assistance and Solidarity Association with Imprisoned Families and Convicts (TUHAY-DER), Free Women's Movement (TJA), Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Amed Deputy Remziye Tosun, HDP Provincial Co-chairs Gülistan Atasoy and Zeyyat Ceylan, Democratic Regions Party (DBP), Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD), Amed Bar Association, Rosa Women's Association, Health and Social Service Workers Union (SES) Amed Branch, Education and Science Workers' Union (Egitim Sen), 78's Association, Mesopotamia Language and Culture Research Association (MED DER), DİSK Amed Representative Office, Amed Medical Chamber and many journalists were attended to the demonstration. The slogan “The free press cannot be silenced” was frequently used during the statement.

 

The Kurdish version of the statement was read by Kadri Esen on behalf of the DFG, and the Turkish version was read by Gülşen Koçuk on behalf of the MKGP.

 

'JUDICIARY HAS NOT PREPARED INDICTMENT FOR 5 MONTHS'

 

Reacting to the fact that the investigation of 16 journalists has not been completed despite the fact that 5 months have passed, Koçuk said: "The judiciary that acts quickly for murderers, drug lords, perpetrators of crimes against humanity, rapists, has been standing still for 5 months when it comes to journalists who reveal these crimes! We know very well the reason for this situation because when the indictment is prepared, it will be revealed that the only 'crime' of our friends is doing their job and they was arrested due to their professional activities; It will be revealed how futile the detentions and arrests, which are touted as a 'grand operation', are; It will be revealed that the 'organisational materials' included in the police reports are actually cameras that keep an eye on the truth. This is exactly why our friends have been detained for 5 months and their indictments have not been prepared yet.”