Two more journalists have been remanded in custody in Türkiye amid growing concerns over restrictions on independent journalism and press freedom. Murat Ağırel, a columnist for Cumhuriyet newspaper, was already under house arrest in connection with a separate investigation when police detained him on 16 October. Three days later, on 19 October, a court ordered his pre-trial detention as part of a money-laundering investigation, and he was transferred to prison. From his cell, Ağırel, in his message addressing his readers, emphasised that he had researched and documented every sentence he had written to date, stating:
“Those who follow my work will know. Not a single sentence I write is without evidence. I research, document my findings, make sure I am certain, and only then do I write. I am not afraid of being put on trial for this. I am not afraid of paying the price.”
BirGün journalist İsmail Arı was also remanded in custody on 21 October following a complaint by a former head of Türkiye’s broadcasting regulator. Arı had previously spent 75 days in prison before being released in June. Medyascope
Meanwhile, opposition broadcaster Halk TV was placed under state-appointed management on 14 October, and its broadcasts were suspended. Restrictions were also ordered on its social media accounts across six platforms, while its owner, Cafer Mahiroğlu, faced a separate restriction on his X account.
The newspaper Yeni Yaşam reported that its X account had been blocked in Türkiye for the ninth time. Other independent news organisations, including T24, bianet and Mezopotamya Agency, have also faced online restrictions.
The developments have added to concerns over press freedom and access to independent news in Türkiye.