Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Turkish Photojournalist Yasin Akgul Detained Amidst Istanbul Protests
In the early hours of March 23rd, law enforcement officials arrived at the Istanbul home of Yasin Akgul, a photojournalist, while his children were still asleep. Just hours prior, the experienced Turkish photographer had returned from covering extensive demonstrations against the government. He was now the subject of an arrest warrant.
Dawn Raid and Initial Arrest
“I opened the door to find numerous police officers,” Akgul recounted. “They stated they possessed a warrant for my detention, but provided no further explanation. My son was awake, and I couldn’t even clarify the situation to him as I was myself in the dark.”
Akgul, aged 35, has witnessed considerable conflict during his decade-plus career as a photojournalist with the AFP news agency, covering events from war-ravaged Syria to ISIS-held Iraq. Within Turkey, he reports being physically assaulted by police on several occasions while photographing, including on World Peace Day, and has faced detention “countless times.”
Arrested at Home for the First Time
However, being apprehended at his residence was an unprecedented event.
“A sense of unease permeated the household,” he explained. “In my profession, at protests, I have encountered significant violence and tear gas, but the presence of police inside my home instilled a deeper sense of fear.”
Journalist Arrests Linked to Protests
Akgul was among seven journalists taken into custody in pre-dawn operations. All had been reporting on the demonstrations triggered by the apprehension of Ekrem Imamoglu, the city’s opposition mayor and a prominent political rival to Turkey’s long-serving leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Protestors assert that the mayor’s detention on corruption accusations, which he refutes, is politically motivated, aiming to undermine his aspirations for the country’s presidency.
Despite a government prohibition, authorities were unable to suppress the public gatherings.
Charges and Concerns for Press Freedom
Akgul is charged with “participating in unlawful assemblies and marches.” He believes the objective is transparent: to deter journalistic coverage of the most significant civil unrest in Turkey for over ten years.
He was actively documenting the events, wearing a gas mask, when he captured some of the most impactful images of the night.
Impactful Images and Message to Journalists
His photographs, depicting a whirling dervish figure being pepper-sprayed by riot police, became emblematic of the struggle for Turkey’s identity and circulated globally, ultimately leading to his imprisonment.
“This action conveys a clear message to all journalists,” he stated. “Do not photograph, do not report, do not film. They are instilling fear in other journalists, suggesting they could suffer the same consequences if they continue field reporting.” He emphasizes that his affiliation with an international news organization like AFP amplifies this message.
Fear and Self-Censorship Among Media
The message has resonated and been acknowledged.
“Following our arrests, numerous freelance journalists refrained from covering events the next day. Fear was pervasive,” he disclosed, speaking from his home alongside his wife Hazal.
Their young daughter, Ipek, three years old, rested on the couch, holding her father’s hand. Their son, Umut, eight, listened attentively, wearing distinctive Harry Potter-style eyewear.
Akgul posits that the arrested individuals were strategically selected, comprising seasoned photojournalists. “They are endeavoring to remove us from the front lines,” he asserted.
Many of his colleagues have already left Turkey due to facing charges or fearing potential legal repercussions.
Eroding Democracy and Political Control
Currently, his family is among many in Turkey concerned about potential judicial separation. The government maintains the judiciary operates independently. However, human rights organizations contend that judges are under political influence, and Turkish democracy is progressively weakening.
President Erdogan, who maintains a strong base of loyal supporters, firmly controls levers of power. He characterizes the protests as “street terrorism” and accuses the opposition of orchestrating “a movement of violence.” He has predicted the demonstrations will diminish.
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Further Actions Against Media and Opposition
On the morning of March 27th, as Yasin Akgul was released from detention, BBC correspondent Mark Lowen was deported from Istanbul after a 17-hour detainment. He was presented with documentation citing him as “a threat to public order.”
Authorities subsequently declared, following BBC reporting, that his deportation stemmed from lacking proper accreditation.
The risks extend beyond journalists. One of Mayor Imamoglu’s lawyers was briefly detained “on fabricated charges,” according to a social media announcement from Imamoglu’s high-security prison cell.
His legal team persists, but they too are experiencing apprehension.
“The right to legal representation is paramount. It is integral to a fair trial that legal counsel should operate without fear or intimidation,” stated Ece Guner, a lawyer and advisor to the mayor.
“It would be dishonest to claim that no one is concerned, to be frank,” she conveyed, “but we remain committed to our civic duty to uphold truth, democracy, and the rule of law.”
Concerns for the Future of Turkish Democracy
What is the current state of Turkish democracy? Some observers fear it is nearing collapse.
In roughly the past two weeks since protests commenced on March 19th, approximately 2,000 individuals have been detained, according to Turkey’s interior ministry.
Many detainees are students and members of “Generation Erdogan,” those who have only experienced the 22-year leadership of Turkey’s current president. Their arrests serve as a further deterrent.
Warning to Young People and Broader Crackdown
“This sends a stark warning to young individuals, a resounding message: do not participate,” asserted Emma Sinclair-Webb, Turkey Director at Human Rights Watch.
She indicated the government is also “aggressively targeting perceived opposition” across various sectors, not solely the mayor’s Republican People’s Party (CHP), the primary opposition force.
“Public institutions are under duress,” she explained. “If they voice dissent or utilize their authority to speak out, immediate attempts are made to silence them.”
She anticipates ongoing efforts to suppress protests and “render them invisible” in the coming months.
Media Control and Rally Attendance
This objective is facilitated by the government’s extensive media control. Major demonstrations have not been highlighted on state television or pro-government news platforms. When reported, protestors were labeled as terrorists.
The most recent demonstration, held last weekend, attracted at least several hundred thousand participants. The opposition alleges attendance exceeded two million.
Numerous families, spanning multiple generations, attended to advocate for change under favorable weather conditions. While a significant police presence was observed, there was no deployment of tear gas or rubber bullets. This particular rally was not officially prohibited.
Public Sentiment and Call for Change
Among the assembled crowds, we encountered Alp, 32, who expressed his presence was to defend democracy while opportunity remained. We refrained from requesting his surname, as many protestors prefer anonymity. He voiced concern regarding potential arrest.
“Police are detaining students, women, and working individuals like ourselves,” he stated.
“Therefore, we are all currently at risk. But we must resist. It is our sole option. Inaction or passive observation will guarantee defeat.”
Opposition Plans and Political Future
The opposition vows to sustain protests and street-level campaigning. They are advocating for presidential elections to be moved forward from 2028.
Opposition polls suggest President Erdogan would be defeated by Imamoglu, if the mayor were released and permitted to contest the election.
The president’s eligibility to run is already in question, as he is currently serving his second term, but speculation exists that he might attempt constitutional amendments.
The opposition insists on continued weekly demonstrations. If this materializes, further arrests appear inevitable.
The future of Yasin Akgul’s legal case remains uncertain, but the charges against him persist. Despite the inherent risks, he intends to continue documenting the unfolding events.
“Someone must perform this duty,” he concluded, “and I believe I am among those who must.”