ANKARA - DFG Co-chairperson Dicle Müftüoğlu, who was arrested on World Press Freedom Day, stated that the truth wanted to be imprisoned, not us. MA editor Sedat Yılmaz, on the other hand, said that he was accused of the news he signed in his 23-year career.

 

Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) Co-chairperson Dicle Müftüoğlu and Mesopotamia Agency (MA) editor Sedat Yılmaz, who were detained in an operation held in 15 cities within the scope of the Ankara-based investigation, were arrested on charges of "being a member of a terrorist organization" on May 3 World Press Freedom Day, on the grounds of their journalism activities.

 

While condemnation the arrests were received from many quarters, the pre-election political genocide operations and attacks on the free press were condemned. Müftüoğlu and Yılmaz, who were arrested, sent a message from the Sincan Prison where they were held, giving the message that the free press will win and that this power that created the darkness will go away on May 14.

 

'THE HANDCUFFS WE HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED'

 

Expressing that 5 of her journalist friends were detained after their arrest, Müftüoğlu wrote that their houses were raided and all equipment was confiscated. Müftüoğlu said: “After a 15-hour bus journey, we were brought to Ankara. We were asked about our journalism activities and telephone conversations by people working in different fields we did not know. In the past, it was considered a crime to cross the road under the same tree. Signaling from the same base station with people we now suspect are indicted was considered an 'organizational' union. When the date showed May 3, World Press Freedom Day, the handcuffs we had been holding for 4 days were tightened even more. The team, who officially took us to production work, brought us to this place where I am held. We were taken into custody in a single line for show purposes, by trying to bend my head forward, and we were brought to the prison in a single line."

 

'THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE OUSTED, THE SUN WILL RISE'

 

Stating that the government is trying to intimidate all journalists by cutting themselves off from the outside, Müftüoğlu said: “The government that created these days where writing the truth is considered a crime to defend freedom of expression to the press will surely oust. The government, which has been trying to consolidate its throne with all the operations it has carried out for the last 10 months, will be defeated in the face of the struggle of those who want freedom. We will also try to make the democratic public aware of the truth against all imprisonments, even if we are behind the walls. We know that what is wanted to be imprisoned here is the truth, not us. That's why we call on all our colleagues to raise their voices against this situation in order to defend the truth and journalism. We call on all NGOs and society to stand up for their right to be informed. The dark, pitch-black sky today is the sign of the rising sun. Against all blackouts, we will win, the free press will win. Best regards and love.”

 

‘THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE ELECTION OPERATIONS WILL BE OUSTED AT THE ELECTION’

 

Saying that those who carried out the operations are those who will be ousted, Yılmaz said: “I would like to thank the professional institutions first of all for their solidarity and efforts. All of the accusations against me are news that I have made in my 23 years of professional life and under which I have my signature. This information, which can be accessed through open sources, was tried to be illegalized with unnecessary detective work. In this, they tried to convince the judicial process with a secret witness whose presence or absence was unknown and who apparently did not know me. It was an election operation. And partly because of my determination to stand in solidarity with my colleagues who were arrested before me. Those who carry out an election operation will be ousted in the election. Greetings to all and love."