19-21 March 2025
In Istanbul’s Saraçhane district, journalists covering protests that broke out after the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu were subjected to police violence. During the intervention, disproportionate force was used, and members of the press, whose professional IDs were clearly visible, were directly targeted. Journalists were beaten, their cameras and equipment were damaged; some were shot with plastic bullets, while others were dragged on the ground and prevented from filming.
In this intervention, Özgür Gelecek reporter Yusuf Çelik was among the journalists who were assaulted.
The violence against journalists sparked strong reactions from both professional organizations and the public. The Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS) called on the Minister of Interior to instruct law enforcement not to obstruct journalists from performing their duties.