Two of Turkey's leading journalists from the opposition Halk TV media outlet - Timur Soykan and Murat Aggelel - were detained in the early hours of Thursday in police raids in Istanbul. The arrests are part of an investigation into allegations of threats and extortion, Reuters reported, citing court documents, News.bg reports.
Soykan and Aggelel are known for their sharp journalistic investigations and their critical tone towards the policies of the government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They have published materials revealing alleged links between state institutions and organized crime. Both are authors of books in which they examine the interaction between the mafia and the state apparatus, and this is not the first time they have faced legal pressure for their work.
The court decision, issued by the 4th Criminal Court in Istanbul, allows searches of the journalists' homes, as well as the seizure and analysis of their digital devices - computers, phones and hard drives. The measure was taken at the request of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office as part of an investigation under articles of the Penal Code related to threats and extortion.
Halk TV is one of the few media outlets in Turkey that openly criticizes the ruling Justice and Development Party and President Erdogan. The arrests are seen by many observers as part of a broader strategy to restrict independent journalism and freedom of speech in the country.
International media freedom organizations have already expressed serious concern and called on the Turkish authorities to be transparent and guarantee the rights of journalists in the investigation.