Mezopotamya Agency (MA) correspondent Mehmet Güleş was taken into custody on February 8, 2023, together with the volunteers that he interviewed about the rescue efforts carried out in Bağlar, Diyarbakır. Güleş and Mehmet Nuri Güzel, a volunteer for the rescue works who Güleş interviewed, were taken into custody, charged with “inciting hostility and hatred, and taken to the Diyarbakır Police Headquarters.

Güleş denied the accusations and stated that he has gone to the earthquake-hit region in order to do his public duty and that he was doing what is necessary for his job. Güleş’s lawyer Resul Temur, on the other hand, pointed out that the measure lacked legal ground and requested Güleş to be released.

Güleş and rescue volunteer Güzel were taken to the courthouse after their statements were taken at the police station. The prosecutor’s office questioned Güleş and Güzel and sent both to the Penal Court of Peace in the scope of Article 217/A of the Turkish Criminal Code for the crime of “openly disseminating information misleading the public,” for both to be released on bail. The court released Güleş and Güzel imposing them international travel ban and obliging them to go and give their signature at the police station each day of the week. (February 8).

In the hearing held on February 9, Kaya’s lawyer and the lawyer of the plaintiff party Demirören Media Group were present. The lawyer of the plaintiff party requested the result of the objection they made to the decision of non-prosecution for their criminal complaint related to “unfair competition” should be awaited. Kaya’s lawyer on the other hand requested the court to reject the case. The Court decided that a writ should be written to the İstanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office in order to ask if the decision of non-prosecution has been concluded or not. The next hearing will be held on April 27 (February 9).