Journalists jailed over coverage of Libya released hours later
Turkish Reporters Without Borders representative Erol Onderoglu [Erol Önderoglu/Twitter]
A lawyer and opposition member said on Tuesday that three Turkish journalists were released after being jailed over their reporting on the deaths of Turkish intelligence officers in Libya in 2020.
Five journalists were convicted in September 2020 for leaking classified information. During their trial, they were detained for up to six months at various times.
The Turkish military has helped the internationally recognized Government of National Accord defend Tripoli from a prolonged assault by east Libyan forces led by Khalifa Haftar over several months.
According to the defendants, they were simply doing their jobs as journalists. In an appeals court decision on January 28, the sentences were finalized. According to Alpay Antmen, a member of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), journalist Hulya Kilinc has been released, but it is unclear if the other two journalists remain in prison.
According to the indictment, Agirel was the first to reveal the identities of the intelligence officers, revealing names and photos on Twitter and referring to Erdogan's remarks.
In an interview with Middle East Eye at the time, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) representative Erol Onderoglu stated that the arrests were an attempt by the government to "intimidate" OdaTV, which has long been a thorn in the government's side.
"The government has not been happy with the editorial line defended by OdaTV for years when it came to the former coalition and cooperation between the government and Fethullah Gulen," he said, referring to a former ally of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) who is currently exiled in the US and wanted by Turkey for alleged involvement in a 2016 coup attempt.
Turkey jails hundreds of journalists each year. After an attempted coup in 2016, critics say Erdogan has eroded the independence of courts and the media. Officials say the courts are autonomous and arrests have been necessary for security reasons.
