OSCE Representative condemns arrest of journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül, urges Turkey not to proceed with charges

VIENNA, 27 November 2015 – Criminal charges of life imprisonment against journalists further degrades an already critical media freedom situation in Turkey, Dunja Mijatović, OSCE media freedom representative said today, amid arrests of two prominent investigative journalists of the daily Cumhuriyet.

“Journalists facing life in prison for their reporting deemed dangerous by the authorities is unacceptable”, Mijatović said. “Even the prospect of such harsh punishment sends a chilling message to society that disagreeing with the views of those in power will be severely punished.”

On 26 November, a Turkish court ordered the arrest of Can Dündar and Erdem Gül, Editor-in-Chief and the Ankara Bureau Chief of the daily Cumhuriyet, respectively, over the newspaper’s reporting and footage of the content of trucks belonging to the National Intelligence Agency.

The journalists are accused of obtaining information related to state security, political and military espionage, publishing confidential information, and carrying out propaganda activities for a terrorist organization. If convicted, the journalists face sentences of up to one aggravated life imprisonment, one life imprisonment and 42 years in prison.

“I urge the Turkish authorities not to proceed with the charges and release the journalists,” Mijatović said.

On 18 November, Can Dündar received the prestigious Reporters Without Borders award on behalf of Cumhuriyet, for the newspaper’s contribution to defending press freedom.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.