DIHA reported detained in Silopi sent to jail

DIHA (Dicle News Agency) reporter Nedim Oruç who was tortured and detained in Şırnak's Silopi district two days ago has been remanded in custody on alleged charges of “spreading propaganda for an illegal organisation”.

DIHA (Dicle News Agency) reporter Nedim Oruç who was tortured and detained in Şırnak's Silopi district two days ago has been remanded in custody. Whereabouts of DIHA reporter remained unknown until public pressure forced police to admit his detention at Silopi police directorate.

Alongside dozens of people, Oruç was forcibly driven from Şehit Harun neighborhood and taken to indoor sports facility in Yenişehir neighborhood the day before. Oruç was among the 37 who were later detained after a criminal record check by police at the sports facility that has been turned into a detention center amid a state of siege across the district. According to witnesses, Oruç was tortured by special operation teams and soldiers after he turned out to be working for DIHA which is among the main news agencies targeted by the state.

Late yesterday evening, Oruç was referred to Silopi Courthouse which demanded his arrest on alleged charges of “spreading propaganda for an illegal organisation”. Oruç was soon later remanded in custody and sent to Şırnak T Type Prison.

Oruç was among the few journalists working for Kurdish media who risk their loves to cover the Kurdish towns under attack by Turkish military and police forces. Police first denied his detention but later admitted it due to public reaction.