Investigative journalist Zeynep Durgut for the Mezopotamya news agency (MA) has been threatened after publishing an investigateive report on an alleged forced prostitution ring in the Kurdish province of Şırnak. According to her own statements, she received threatening phone calls from relatives of Kenan Tatar, who is described in the report as the “gang leader.”

The threats began after the publication of a detailed report last February in which Durgut reported on a 25-member group that had come under investigation by the authorities in 2013 on suspicion of forced prostitution, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation of minors, among other things. Among those at the center of the investigation is Kenan Tatar, who, according to the indictment, is considered one of the group's leading figures.

“We know who you are, where you come from. There will be consequences,” Durgut claims to have been told in one of the calls. The journalist and her lawyer subsequently filed a criminal complaint with the public prosecutor's office in the district of Cizre.

Following the announcement, women's organizations, media associations, and political parties organized a solidarity rally in front of the courthouse in Cizre on Thursday. In a joint statement, the Free Women's Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad, TJA) condemned the threats as a deliberate attempt to intimidate critical journalism. “The threat against Zeynep Durgut shows that attempts are being made to suppress the truth and silence the public. We will not allow this,” said TJA representative Berivan Kutlu.

Speaking at the rally, Zeynep Durgut said: “The special war policy in Şırnak has been a reality for years. I will not be intimidated and will continue to bring the truth to light as a free journalist.” The event ended with the slogan “The free press will not be silenced.”

Background

The underlying case dates back to 2013. At that time, the Şırnak public prosecutor's office launched an investigation against 25 people on suspicion of forming a criminal organization to promote forced prostitution. The investigation lasted eleven years.

In 2024, a comprehensive indictment was finally filed with the 3rd Heavy Penal Court in Şırnak and admitted – to the surprise of many, as the long-established Tatar family has connections to the highest government circles and is one of the largest families serving as “village guards” in Northern Kurdistan. The charges include forming a criminal organization, child and human trafficking, sexual abuse of minors, pimping, and extortion.

The indictment names Ibrahim Tatar as the alleged ringleader. He was arrested in 2013 and released from pre-trial detention in 2024. Kenan Tatar is listed as his associate. Along with 23 other defendants, three non-commissioned officers and a sergeant are also accused of using their military positions to force women and minors—including people from Rojava and other countries—into prostitution.