Police pressure on journalists arrives in prison - Zeynep Kuray
Police pressure on journalists arrives in prison - Zeynep Kuray
The police pressure on journalists has arrived in prison as well. Istanbul Anti-Terror Branch (TEM) police officers have paid a visit to Fýrat Distribution worker Çiðdem Aslan following another visit to jailed journalist Mahide Ermiþ whom they tried to turn into an informer.
The so-called “KCK” operation on 20 December 2011 which targeted free press workers ended up in the arrest of 36 journalists. However, workers of the press who are under a constant supervision and pursuit outside are closely followed in prison as well. Two weeks ago, TEM police officers visited Democratic Modernity magazine worker Mahide Ermiþ who was suggested being a spy with the permission of the prosecution office.
It is attention grabbing that this ‘visit’ was made under the supervision of Prison’s 2nd Director Necdet Kahveci. Speaking to ANF, Fýrat Distribution worker Çiðdem Aslan said that; “The police officers wanted to see me alone but they changed the purpose of the visit when I came to see them with another woman near me. They said that they had come to visit me to take a sample of my handwriting.”
Aslan, unable to make something of this event, remarks that TEM Branch already took the sample of her handwriting and signature before. Aslan is concerned that the attitude of police officers, who don’t have the legal authority to collect evidence in this way, could become permanent.
On the other hand, woman prisoners in Bakýrköy L Type Prison said that they will not accept this pressure and will file a criminal complaint against the misconducting police officers, the prosecutor who provided basis for this ‘visit’ and the prison administration that connives at it.
* Zeynep Kuray has been arrested with dozens of journalists in December 2011. She is currently held in Bakýrköy L Type Prison
The so-called “KCK” operation on 20 December 2011 which targeted free press workers ended up in the arrest of 36 journalists. However, workers of the press who are under a constant supervision and pursuit outside are closely followed in prison as well. Two weeks ago, TEM police officers visited Democratic Modernity magazine worker Mahide Ermiþ who was suggested being a spy with the permission of the prosecution office.
It is attention grabbing that this ‘visit’ was made under the supervision of Prison’s 2nd Director Necdet Kahveci. Speaking to ANF, Fýrat Distribution worker Çiðdem Aslan said that; “The police officers wanted to see me alone but they changed the purpose of the visit when I came to see them with another woman near me. They said that they had come to visit me to take a sample of my handwriting.”
Aslan, unable to make something of this event, remarks that TEM Branch already took the sample of her handwriting and signature before. Aslan is concerned that the attitude of police officers, who don’t have the legal authority to collect evidence in this way, could become permanent.
On the other hand, woman prisoners in Bakýrköy L Type Prison said that they will not accept this pressure and will file a criminal complaint against the misconducting police officers, the prosecutor who provided basis for this ‘visit’ and the prison administration that connives at it.
* Zeynep Kuray has been arrested with dozens of journalists in December 2011. She is currently held in Bakýrköy L Type Prison
