Human Rights
Prisoner of Conscience: Sedat Yılmaz, Türkiye
In April 2023, Sedat Yılmaz, a journalist based in Diyarbakır, southeastern Türkiye, was arrested. Yılmaz, associated with the Mezopotamya News Agency known for its pro-Kurdish stance, was detained alongside Dicle Müftüoğlu, another editor from the agency and co-chair of the Dicle Firat Journalists Association.
Following their arrest, reports emerged of Yılmaz's temporary denial of legal counsel and allegations of maltreatment during custody, including physical abuse. These claims were reported by his employer, Mezopotamya News Agency.
In September 2023, Turkish prosecutors indicted Yılmaz, charging him with membership and leadership in a terrorist organization, citing alleged connections with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The PKK is designated a terrorist group by Türkiye, the European Union, and the United States. The indictment, exceeding 40 pages, elaborates on the PKK's structure and activities and suggests a connection between Mezopotamya News Agency, among other Kurdish media outlets, and the PKK.
The evidence presented by the prosecution included extensive call records and financial transactions, which they interpreted as indicative of Yılmaz's links to the PKK. Additionally, his limited social media presence was noted in the indictment.
The arrest of Yılmaz and Müftüoğlu was part of a broader crackdown in April 2023, involving multiple Kurdish journalists, activists, lawyers, and writers, ahead of Türkiye's presidential election.
International media watchdogs, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, have expressed concern over these detentions, advocating for the immediate release of the journalists and criticizing the use of terrorism charges against them.
As of December 2022, around forty journalists were imprisoned in Türkiye, a figure reported by the Committee to Protect Journalists. Türkiye has faced criticism for its treatment of journalists and the press.
Disclaimer: Sedat Yılmaz was released on December 14, 2023, after eight months of detention.
Prisoners of Conscience from East and Southeast Europe
We feature select few prisoners of conscience out of the many in East and Southeast Europe. One political prisoner is one too many.
Find out who the other political prisoners are #PrisonersofConscience #FreeThemAll and in the special Focus on our website.
