FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• RojNews turns to the UN for its editor abducted by the KDP two months ago 

  Journalist Silêman Ehmed was abducted by the KDP secret service in southern Kurdistan two months ago. The RojNews agency has turned to the UN for support in finding out his whereabouts.
• Daily Yeni Yaşam banned from the library of the Turkish Parliament since 2021 

  The daily Yeni Yaşam has been banned from the library of the Turkish Parliament since 27 August 2021.
• Journalist Sıddık Güler imprisoned in Van 

  Kurdish journalist Sıddık Güler has been arrested in Van after the Court of Cassation upheld a prison sentence handed down to him in 2018.
• MA Editor Sedat Yılmaz released from prison 

  MA editor Sedat Yılmaz is accused of being a member of a terrorist organisation in Turkey without any evidence. After eight months in pre-trial detention, the Kurdish journalist was released from prison on Thursday.
• RSF’s 2023 Round-up: 45 journalists killed in the line of duty worldwide 

  According to RSF, the number of journalists killed worldwide in connection with their work is the lowest since 2002, despite the war in the Middle East.
• Journalists in Amed call on the KDP to release RojNews editor Ehmed  

  RojNews editor Silêman Ehmed was abducted to an unknown location by the KDP secret service in South Kurdistan 51 days ago. Journalists' associations in Amed are calling for his release and pointing out the murders of journalists.
• Kurdish journalist Ezîzî sent to Evin Prison 

  Kurdish journalist and former political prisoner Pexşan Ezîzî in Iran was sent to Evin Prison after 4 months of interrogation.
• Female journalists attacked by the police: Free press cannot be silenced 

  Denouncing the violence she suffered at the hands of the police, journalist Elfazi Toral said: "They repeatedly punched me in the heart, attacked me with kicks, and subjected me to strip search."
• Journalist Toral released under judiciary control 

  The Turkish judiciary continues to take action against independent media. Elfazi Toral from JinNews will have to sign at the police station after her release. She was taken into custody while trying to follow a press conference.
• Journalist Dicle Müftüoğlu remains in prison 

  Kurdish journalist Dicle Müftüoğlu, an editor of the Mezopotamya news agency (MA), who has been behind bars since May, faces up to 15 years in prison.
• Journalist Ahmed, incommunicado for 44 days 

  Silêman Ahmed, one of the editors of Rojnews, who was detained by the Duhok Security Forces 44 days ago, has not been heard from since.
• Journalist Irfan Uçar detained in Antep 

  Veteran journalist Irfan Uçar was detained by Turkish police at his home in the province of Antep.
• Journalist Gök, jailed since April, released with a travel ban 

  MA Editor Abdurrahman Gök was released with a travel ban.
• Appeal for Rojnews journalist kidnapped by the KDP 

  212 personalities and organisations in South Kurdistan issued an appeal for Silêman Ahmed, who was abducted by KDP and has not been heard from for 41 days.
• Lawyer of journalist Silêman Ahmed still denied visit to his client 

  Lawyer Nerîman Ahmet, who is part of the Silêman Ahmed defense group, said that they applied at least 10 times to see their client, but they were not allowed to see him.
• DFG: 11 journalists taken into custody and 5 sent to prison in November 

  According to the DFG's November report, 11 journalists were taken into custody and 5 were sent to prison.
• Duhok Public Order Forces don't allow lawyer to visit RojNews journalist Ehmed 

  Duhok Public Order Forces are preventing lawyers from visiting RojNews journalist Silêman Ehmed, who is being held in custody by KDP forces for 30 days. It was learned that Ehmed's file is in the hands of KDP intelligence service, Parastin.
• 25 days without news from Roj News journalist Ehmed  

  There is still no news from the journalist Silêman Ehmed, who was arrested by the KDP in South Kurdistan more than three weeks ago. Concern for his life and safety is increasing, RojNews is calling once again for the release of its editor.
• Three female journalists detained in Iran in two days 

  Three female journalists were detained in Iran in two days. While journalist Shagaig Moradi was arrested, it is not known where Nasim Tawafzadeh and Helaleh Natigeh are being held.
• Arrest warrant for two Iranian journalists  

  The chief prosecutor of Evin Prison in Iran issued an arrest warrant for journalists Seide Shafii and Nesim Sultanbegi.
• NuJINHA reporter injured in Gaza 

  Journalist Naghem Karajeh was injured in an Israeli attack in Gaza City. The Palestinian journalist is a reporter for the Kurdish women's news agency NuJINHA.
• Demo in Switzerland demands freedom for Kurdish journalist Ahmed Azad Çağan 

  Kurdish journalist Ahmed Azad Çağan, who applied for asylum in Switzerland, is at the risk of being deported to Turkey.
• No news from journalist Ehmed, abducted by the KDP 20 days ago 

  No news about RojNews Arabic Service Editor Silêman Ehmed, who was abducted at the Sêmalka Border Gate by KDP forces, 20 days ago.
• Kurdish journalist Ahmed Azad Çağan at risk of deportation from Switzerland to Turkey 

  Journalist Ahmed Azad Çağan, who applied for asylum in Switzerland, faces the risk of being deported to Turkey.
• Still no news of journalist Silêman Ehmed abducted by the KDP 17 days ago 

  The RojNews agency based in South Kurdistan calls for the immediate release of its editor who was kidnapped by the forces of the ruling party, KDP, at the border crossing between Syria and Iraq 17 days ago.