DİYARBAKIR - Released after 13 months in detention in Amed, Journalists said:  "We will continue where we left off. They cannot keep our voices down."

 

Journalists, who were arrested on June 16 for their professional activities as part of the Amed-based investigation, were released 400 days later at the first hearing of the case on July 12. Journalists, who were detained for 13 months, evaluated the pressure on the Free Press, the accusation of their professional activities and the detention process.

 

THE AIM IS TO ELIMINATE THE KURDISH PRESS

 

Stating that the Free Press has faced great pressure and obstacles throughout the history of the struggle, Journalist Lezgin Akdeniz said: "A great price has been paid for this. Kurdish journalists have always expanded their work by taking strength from this price. The aim of this operation was to eliminate and liquidate the Free Press and to criminalize its work. Another aim was to break the influence of journalists. We were held in prison for a year. When we were released, we would continue our work from where we left off. We will not stop our work. We will work harder."

 

“WOMEN JOURNALISTS ARE TARGET”

 

Stating that they were arrested because they were Kurds, Journalist and painter Neşe Toprak said:  they support free thought, Toprak said, “They did not want the Kurds' voices to be heard. That's why they wanted to destroy journalism, which serves as a bridge between the public and life. That's why they arrested us all. Kurdish women journalists were asked to be muted and they were targeted because they revealed the truth. Women do not want the developments in the society to be kept secret and always work to reveal them. That's why they detained women. We only had news in the indictment. My articles in the field of art were the subject of accusations. Art is very important for society. They wanted to lower our voice. We will fight this struggle to the end. They cannot lower our voices."

 

'OUR WORK HAS NOT BEEN INTERRUPTED'

 

Stating that the case was opened with political motives and that the long period of detention was the result of this, Remziye Temel said: "This process was different and challenging. This process actually had both pros and cons. We have been removed from our work, from our friends and loved ones. Our friends continued their work tremendously. Our work has not been interrupted in any way. The Free Press cannot be silenced by pressure. We will continue from where we left off. We have friends inside, we will put them shoulder to shoulder and set them free as soon as possible."

 

'WE WILL CONTINUES TO OUR DO OUR JOB'

 

Stating that they were arrested unlawfully and noted that the operation was aimed at instilling fear in the society, Journalist Abdurrahman Öncü said: "Our professional activities were the subject of a crime in the indictment. We will continue to do our job. No government accepts criticism. The Free Press will continue its critical reporting, adding that the pressures will not yield any results."

 

MA / Müjdat Can