Operation against Cumhuriyet: editor-in-chief and writers detained
Cumhuriyet
Daily editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu is detained. The executives and
writers of Cumhuriyet are accused of being in relation with Fethullah
Gülen and PKK. In the press statement of Istanbul Chief Public
Prosecutor's Office, it is stated that an investigation is launched
against the suspects on the charge of “committing crime in name of
FETÖ [terrorist organization led by cleric Fethullah Gülen] and PKK
without being a member”.
There is also a detention order issued for Chief Executive Akın Atalay, who is currently abroad. His house is being searched by the police forces.
It is reported that there are detention orders for 13 writers and executives of the newspaper.
The houses of the suspects had been raided around 4 am this morning. Writer Aydın Engin was asked why he is detained and he replied: “I am working in Cumhuriyet. Isn't it enough?”
Caricaturist Musa Kart's house is also being searched. He headed to the police station for giving a statement. He spoke in front of the office of the newspaper:
“For years, I have been trying to express what we are going through with my comic strips. Now, I feel like I am in a comic strip. I have drawn too many caricatures about FETÖ and PKK. So, the ground for detention is just funny. This is a comedy. For conscientious people, this situation is impossible to accept. Currently, 6-7 of our friends are under detention. A detention order is issued against me, because I draw caricatures. I am going to submit my statement. There is nothing to hide. Everyone knows what I have written and drawn. They searched my house around 5 am this morning. Our legal counselors advised me to go to the police station by myself. This development amounts to declaration of Erdoğan's presidency. Good luck to all of us.”
It is reported that there are also detention orders against Önder Çelik, Bülent Utku, Mustafa Kemal Güngör, Eser Yener, Müslüm Özışık and Nebil Özgentürk.
CHP MPs Sezgin Tanrıkulu and Barış Yarkadaş went to the office of the newspaper for solidarity.
People are urged to come to the office at 12.00 in order to protest the operation.
