Press groups protest journalist Alican Uludağ's detention

Journalist Alican Uludağ faces charges of spreading misleading information and inciting hatred after being detained for his social media activity. Uludağ was taken into custody from his home and is expected to be brought before a judge. Press organizations, including the Contemporary Journalists Association (ÇGD), Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS), and the Journalists' Association, gathered at the Ankara Courthouse to protest the arrest.

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We find the detention in front of their children to be wrong. He could be summoned, he could give his statement. He has come to the courthouse many times in the past, given his statement, and the processes continued.

Kıvanç El, head of ÇGD, highlighted the recurring need for journalists to assemble due to investigations against their colleagues. He noted Uludağ's previous detention and release, stating that while investigations can occur, detention and home raids are inappropriate methods. "We find the detention in front of their children to be wrong," El said, advocating for a summons and voluntary appearance instead.

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The criminalization of journalism and the portrayal of his comments and social media posts as criminal elements are unacceptable. Alican Uludağ is a journalist, a good journalist. He should be released as soon as possible and return to his duty.

El stressed that Uludağ is a journalist and should be freed to return to his work. "The criminalization of journalism and the portrayal of his comments and social media posts as criminal elements are unacceptable," he stated, demanding his swift release from Ankara Police Department custody.

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We have no choice but to say 'Enough is enough,'

Sinan Tartanoğlu, head of the TGS Ankara branch, also condemned the rearrest, recalling Uludağ's recent release. He echoed the sentiment that the current application is both unlawful and factually incorrect. "We have no choice but to say 'Enough is enough,'" Tartanoğlu declared, referencing the numerous journalists currently imprisoned or under investigation. He asserted that journalists want to practice their profession freely, express criticism, and share on social media without facing such repercussions.

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We want to do our journalism freely. We want to report news, make our social media posts, and express our criticisms freely. However, we face a mentality that tells us 'you cannot do this' every time.