IPI condemns arrest of journalist Nedim Oruç, calls for his immediate release

21.01.2026

On January 14, 2026, Nedim Oruç, a reporter for Turkey-based Kurdish news agency Ajansa Welat, was detained by police in Şırnak’s Cizre neighborhood while covering a demonstration concerning alleged human rights violations in Aleppo, Syria. According to several reports and video footage, Oruç was subjected to physical violence by security forces during the police crackdown.

Following his detention, Oruç’s custody period was extended twice by the prosecutor’s office, his professional equipment was seized, and his access to legal counsel was restricted for 24 hours.

Oruç’s lawyer told IPI that authorities initially refused to provide clear information about Oruç’s whereabouts and later denied access to his client without a formal judicial order. Turkey’s Criminal Procedure Code states that such restrictions are only valid once formally ordered and last for 24 hours. A confidentiality order was then issued on the case file, further undermining judicial transparency and Oruç’s right to a fair defense.

Despite the fact that Oruç was detained while covering a demonstration, the authorities that interrogated him were reportedly unconcerned with the events he was covering that day. Instead, they cited his past reports on the outlawed Kurdish Workers’ Party’s (PKK) disarmament calls and regional issues as evidence of criminal wrongdoing. This disconnect raises concerns that the case against him is in retaliation to his long-standing journalistic work.

Following his interrogation and referral to the Criminal Court of Peace in Şırnak, Oruç was formally remanded in custody on “terror propaganda” charges. According to his lawyer, the court justified the pretrial detention by referring to the severity of the charge, which carries a maximum penalty of five years.

“Nedim Oruç’s detention is a typical case in which journalistic activity is being manipulated and treated as a crime,” said Resul Temur, Oruç’s lawyer, speaking to IPI.

This is not the first time Oruç has faced such judicial harassment. He was previously arrested in 2016 on the same charges and was released later that year.

IPI stands in solidarity with Oruç and all journalists whose professional work is criminalised in Turkey. The use of anti-terror laws to target journalists remains a persistent threat to critical media. We urge authorities to end the practice of arbitrary detentions of journalists and ensure that media workers can operate without fear of reprisal.

This statement was coordinated by IPI as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.