At least seven journalists have been detained while covering protests in the aftermath of last weekend’s local elections while two journalists threatened, and others subjected to physical attacks over their reporting

The Van Provincial Election Council’s decision to annul the mandate of the Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Mayoral candidate Abdullah Zeydan and to appoint AKP candidate Abdulahat Arvas as the new mayor on 2 April 2024 based on a last-minute objection by the Ministry of Justice ahead of last weekend’s local elections sparked protests across Turkey.

Zeydan won the election, receiving 55 percent of the votes, while Arvas became the runner-up with 27 percent.

Colemêrg News License Owner Mimar Serkan Kaya, who was attacked by people affiliated with AKP Provincial Chair Zeydin Kaya, has stated that he took refuge in a house and was feeling worried for his life in Turkey’s southeastern province of Hakkari. The decision to appoint Arvas instead of Zeydan sparked protests in the city on 2 April. Amid the protests, a group including Kaya’s brother launched an armed assault against the protesters. While the journalists who attempted to cover the incident, Kaya was threatened with death.

After the elections concluded in Siverek, Şanlıurfa, some fake social media accounts threatened a number of journalists on social media. A criminal complaint was filed against those accounts.

İzmir Labor and Democracy Forces read out a press statement concerning the Arvas being appointed as mayor in Alsancak district on 2 April. The police broke up the crowd after the statement and detained many people violently. Equipment of journalists Ersin Özgül, Nazlıcan Nujin Yıldız and Berkcan Zengin have been damaged.

Journalist Ece Üner received death threat on social media over her remarks on Arvas being appointed instead of Zeydan.

Journalist Medine Mamedoğlu announced on her X account on 3 April that she was battered and detained by being handcuffed from behind while she was covering the lawyers’ demonstration in Van. Mamedoğlu also said that she was targeted on social media because she informed people of rights violations that occurred during the protests.

Gazete Duvar news site Van representative Kadir Cesur was hit by two plastic bullets while he was covering the police break up against the DEM Party members and supporters who were celebrating the election results in Van.

JinNews reporter Rabia Önver was injured by a plastic bullet while she was covering the protests in Yüksekova, Van on 3 April. KRT reporter Umut Taştan was also hit by a plastic bullet in Van on the same day. Tens of journalists were subjected to pepper spray and pressurized water.

Journalist Ruşen Takva was hit by pressurized water while he was on live reporting on the protests in Van. Afterwards, he said that he was being targeted on social media as well.

Police confiscated and deleted the images on journalist Oktay Candemir’s phone while he was covering the protests in Van.

Rudaw cameraman Muhammed Şakir was hit by a pepper spray while he was doing coverage in Van.

Five journalists were battered by police while they were covering incidents at different locations in Van.

Arvas being appointed in Van was protested in İstanbul’s Esenyurt district. Police broke up the crowd who had gathered to protest ahead of Supreme Electoral Board’s decision for Van on 3 April. During the police intervention, Mezopotamya news agency (MA) reporter Ferhat Sezgin, Pir News Agency Dilan Şimşek, Artı Gerçek reporter Müzeyyen Yüce and Yeni Yaşam daily reporter Sema Korkmaz along with 128 people were detained. On 4 April, detention period of all detainees was extended for one day. On 5 April, the journalists were released.

In İstanbul’s Kadıköy district, Women are Strong Together platform staged a demonstration in protest of police violence against people in Van. Police detained 35 people including journalists Zilan Azad and Yeşim Dokur. Azad and Dokur were released on 5 April.

In Turkey’s southeastern province of Batman, MA and JinNews reporters were hit by pressurized water.

Police broke up protesters in province of Siirt and battered NeHaber news agency reporters.