Journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin were killed in Turkey's drone attack on 19 December 2024 while following news reports in North and East Syria. Many people were detained and arrested during protests and events against the murder of journalists. Journalists Gülistan Dursun, Hayri Tunç, Enes Sezgin, Osman Akın, Can Papila, Pınar Gayıp and Serpil Ünal and politicians Haci Ugiş and İmam Şenol were detained on 21 December. 9 journalists were arrested on charges of "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" and "violating the Law on Demonstrations and Marches". 

 

The indictment prepared against the journalists on 27 January was accepted by Istanbul 24th Assize Court. The indictment claimed that the journalists resisted the police, and considered carrying the photographs of Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin as a crime. On 31 January, the court issued a summary of judgement and released 9 journalists. The first hearing of the journalists will be held on 11 April.

 

Serpil Ünal, a reporter for Mücadele Birliği newspaper, who was arrested for protesting the murder of her colleagues and was released afterwards, evaluated the attacks against journalists. Describing what happened during the detention, Serpil Ünal said, "A few of us went a little early. We were going to talk about what kind of a programme we were going to make. As soon as we arrived, we were surrounded and told ‘there is a ban on protests’. Our ID cards were taken and we were pressed against the wall with shields. In the meantime, they started to announce ‘the protest is banned, disperse’. But there was no way to get out of there. We were so stuck against the wall that the door of a shop behind us was pushed inwards. The shopkeeper said, ‘What are you doing, the door will be broken. The police said, ‘Close it, if it breaks, we will have it recognised’. Then a friend of ours was strangled and we were detained in handcuffs and dragged on the ground." 

 

Pointing out that Turkey did not want the war in Syria to be visible in the society, Serpil Ünal said, "Our friends were informing us about the realities there. Afterwards, it was said that there was an arrest warrant against them. But the main thing is the journalism of our friends. We were learning the facts in Syria from them. Therefore, it is not possible for us to remain silent in the face of their deaths. We did what every colleague should do. For example, health professionals also make statements when something happens to their colleagues."

 

‘THEY DON'T WANT THE VIOLENCE TO BE HEARD’ 

 

Emphasising that they will continue their professional activities despite all pressures, Serpil Ünal said, "Pressure exists in every field. Strikes and press statements are banned. Those who reflect these pressures need to withdraw so that they can continue the pressure even more intensely. The aim is to hide the violence and oppression on society and not to reveal it. But this is the duty of journalists. I live in Istanbul now. I learn about an event in Ankara from my journalist friend who is there. In other words, one of the reflections of the pressure on society goes through journalists. Mostly socialist, Kurdish or opposition journalists are detained and arrested. Because they don't want that violence to be heard and reflected. They want to show that any objection will result in violence, detention and arrest." 

 

Emphasising the importance of solidarity and struggle against what is happening, Serpil Ünal added, "These repressions are not only against journalists, there are also many arrests and repressions against revolutionaries and women. On the other hand, the usurpation of the rights of workers and labourers is at a high level. It is necessary not to be afraid against the attacks, it is necessary to be in solidarity. It is necessary to continue to do whatever is necessary to enlarge the struggle."

 

MA / Ömer İbrahimoğlu