International Press Institute Director Alison Bethel McKenzie and Press Freedom Manager Anthony Mills are in Istanbul on an emergency visit to the IPI Turkish National Committee and the Turkish Journalists Association to add their voices to those calling for the release of IPI Press Freedom Hero Nedim Şener and the many other journalists being detained in prison.

Journalist Nedim Şener, one of IPI’s World Press Freedom Heroes,  was ordered arrested by an Istanbul court as part of a controversial probe into an alleged plot to overthrow the government.

Şener and journalist Ahmet Şık, who were detained along with other journalists following police raids on their homes and businesses, were questioned for hours by the lead prosecutor investigating the alleged Ergenekon plot before being sent to court early on the morning of 6 March, where a judge granted a request for their arrest.

Prosecutors had demanded that the journalists face charges of “being a member of the Ergenekon organization” and “inciting hatred and animosity among the public”.

IPI’s Turkish National Committee said prosecutors asked Şener and Şık wide-ranging questions about books they have written, their personal documents and phone calls the two had made. The prosecutor also asked Şener questions about statements he made during television programs in which he has participated.

The pair was taken to the Metris Prison in Istanbul, and Şener has since been transferred to the Silivri prison.

Şener is an author and investigative reporter for the daily Milliyet. IPI named him a World Press Freedom Hero last year for his work following the release of his book linking security forces to the 2007 murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

IPI Board Member Ferai Tinc, who is also chairperson of IPI’s Turkey National Committee, said: “The IPI Turkish National Committee insists on transparency of the the investigation processes related to Mr Şener. We call for the release of all imprisoned journalists.”

During the three-day visit, Bethel McKenzie and Mills are scheduled to meet with members of the IPI Turkish National Committee, the Freedom for Journalists Platform and the Turkish Journalists Association as well as several individual journalists. The delegation was also hoping to visit Şener in prison.

“We are seriously concerned about the arrest of Şener and the many others detained for doing their jobs as journalists. We urge the Turkish government to enter sincere talks with local and international media to improve the press freedom situation in Turkey so that the nation can take its rightful place as a leading democratic and free press country in Europe,” said IPI Director Alison Bethel McKenzie.

Turkey’s treatment of journalists has come under increasing scrutiny, with over 60 journalists currently imprisoned under national security laws and other legislation.

This press release is supported by the South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate.