Turkey detained dozens of journalists, blocked access to hundreds of news in 2020

Turkish law enforcement detained some 38 journalists in the first eight months of 2020, a report by the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) revealed. Meanwhile, access to 53 news stories and 75 websites was blocked. Charges of insulting the president resulted in the detention of 24 people, the arrest of three and an investigation into one person.

Duvar English

Some 38 journalists were detained in Turkey in the first eight months of the year, 17 of whom were arrested and nine released on probation, a report by the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) revealed.

Meanwhile, courts blocked access to 53 news stories, 75 websites, two web pages, five social media accounts, 59 pieces of web content and 143 URLs.

20 journalists arrested in first nine months of this year, says report penned by CHP lawmaker20 journalists arrested in first nine months of this year, says report penned by CHP lawmaker

Some 1,346 individuals were detained and exposed to torture or mistreatment as law enforcement blocked some 637 peaceful assemblies, resulting in the injury of 54 demonstrators.

Charges of insulting the president resulted in the detention of 24 people, the arrest of three and an investigation into one person.

Democratically elected 79 local government officials were detained during this time, 16 of whom were arrested.

At least 314 members of political parties, an overwhelming majority from pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), were detained.