One month after his imprisonment, journalist Metin Yoksu has been released pending trial. Regarding prison conditions, he said, “People are sleeping in front of the toilets. They are forced to eat in front of the toilets. The prisoners and convicts there are already in prison, why are they being punished further?”

AZİZ ORUÇ

Seven journalists were detained in an investigation conducted by the Artvin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the scope of which was kept secret. Ozan Cırık, Eylem Yılmaz, Yavuz Akengin, and Dicle Baştürk were imprisoned pending trial on 17 June on the charge of “membership in a terrorist organization.” The four were released pending trial on 16 July.

In the same investigation, journalist Metin Yoksu, who went to the Batman Courthouse on his own initiative on the morning of 26 June, was arrested and sent to pre-trial detention on the same day by the judge to whom he was referred for “membership in a terrorist organization.” Yoksu was released from Batman Beşiri Prison on July 25, subject to judicial control measures in the form of a ban on leaving the country and a requirement to sign in monthly.

Yoksu spoke to Expression Interrupted about his imprisonment, the pressure on journalists, and importance of solidarity.

“Attacks on journalists are intensifying”

Yoksu, who said he was accustomed to being arrested and had previously undergone long periods of detention, said, "This time, I experienced a short period of detention. The interesting thing is that we are used to being detained here, or we see it as an experience. The anti-democratic environment and attacks on journalists are getting worse every day.”

“I do not know what is in the file”

Stating that he did not know what was in the file and that the “confidentiality decision” was still in effect, Yoksu said, "I was supposed to give a presentation at the Nature Association's Bird Conference in İzmir, and I was arrested on my way there. The interesting parts start here. I had posted at least three tweets while on the way. Everyone could see I was on the road. But for some reason, the gendarmerie did not see them. Yet the same gendarmerie saw me when I went to the Batman Courthouse on my own to give a statement to the prosecutor’s office and shared it on social media, and they immediately contacted me and said, ‘Come, first we will take you into custody.’”

“Journalism has become difficult”

Yoksu, who has been working as an independent journalist since 2020, said, "My work has been the subject of academic theses on various occasions. There are very few freelance journalists, or rather reporters, in Turkey. Journalism has become even more difficult in Turkey and Kurdish cities, where working conditions are so harsh and deep poverty prevails.

“Naturally, I have reported on institutions whose editorial policies I did not agree with at times. No one can touch my reports. I determine their content and form.”

“I was jailed because of my news report”

Yoksu said he did not know what was in the file for which he was jailed, adding, "But what I do know is that I reported the news at minus 25 degrees during the earthquake. I reported on the situation of the people there. I reported for KRT, Halk TV, Artı Gerçek, Gazete Duvar, AFP, and Yeşil newspaper. You may remember that there were demolitions in İstanbul’s Merter district, and I reported on them. I reported on the workers’ rally in Kartal. I followed the election campaigns of the DEM Party and the rallies of its co-chairs, and I was jailed because of these reports.”

“I went to the prosecutor's office myself, but I was imprisoned on suspicion of fleeing”

“The judge and the prosecutor asked me, ‘Why was nearly TL 50,000 deposited into your account in installments?’” Yoksu said, continuing as follows: "I said I wrote the news item in exchange for the money. I am a free, independent journalist; my job is to report and sell news. ‘In high school, I sold hairpins at markets. Just as I received money from people back then, today I receive royalties for my news reports,’ I said. I mentioned the news reports I had done, but no one listened. I realized I wasn’t being heard both when I was arrested and when I read the documents. I went to the prosecutor's office on my own and was arrested. They said I was suspected of fleeing. How could I be suspected of fleeing? If I had any intention of fleeing, I would not have come to the prosecutor's office on my own. I say I sold news items, but they claim the copyright fees I received, including expenses, are the reason for the charges against me. The interesting part is that the charges against me are completely contrary to my worldview and have nothing to do with me. This is an insult to me and my family. Those who know me know very well what kind of person I am and what my worldview is. Most media outlets would not hire me because of my worldview and because I am Kurdish.”

“There were 33 people in a cell designed for 12”

Yoksu continued: "As part of my job as a journalist, I have to tell what I have witnessed. I was held in Batman Beşiri T-Type Prison. I saw everything there is to see there. The prison, which should have a capacity of 600-700, currently houses nearly 2,000 detainees and inmates. And what is even worse, there has been no water here for 20 days. According to the information I received, a new well will be dug by 10 August at the latest. During these 20 days, water flowed for a maximum of four hours a day. Imagine, the temperature in Batman reaches 50 degrees Celsius. The sun reflecting off the massive walls raises the temperature even higher. There are no wind corridors in this prison built in a pit. Under these conditions, 30 people are staying in a 12-person cell, and in some places, there are 45 people. In the 12-person C-15 cell where I was, there were 33 people. When we needed to use the toilet, there was no water at times. The space was cramped. I was sleeping on the floor. There were also risks of contagious diseases. At one point, there was even a suspicion of scabies. In a place with no water, all kinds of diseases can spread. Indeed, I fell ill twice while inside.”

“There was no place to sleep in the cell.”

Yoksu explained that he had to sleep on the floor between two bunk beds because there was no place to sleep, and continued as follows: “It is not just me; everyone there is in the same situation. People are sleeping in front of the toilets. They ate in front of the toilets. Why are not they allowed to have air conditioning or a cooling system?

The prisoners and convicts there are already in prison, why are they being punished on top of their punishment? There is double standard even in the enforcement of justice. These are things I have witnessed. The issue is not that I have experienced this, but that people there are continuing to experience this right now.”

”We must not forget freelance journalists“

Yoksu concluded by saying, “We are journalists. I will continue to do my job. I have accumulated news stories, and I will continue to write them. I also call on media organizations from here. I can provide the news to those who request it. I emphasize this because I must remind everyone that solidarity among journalists means not forgetting freelance journalists. I would like to thank everyone who has shown solidarity, especially the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association, MLSA, and P24.”