Hüseyin Aykan, editor-in-chief of the Bolu Gündem newspaper in northwestern Turkey, was jailed on Sept. 11 over a news report alleging that a business operating in Göksu Nature Park charged customers more than the officially approved rates.
The Turkish Journalists' Association called for the release of Aykan, who is a member of the organization.
BOLU, Turkey — Hüseyin Aykan, owner and editor-in-chief of the Bolu Gündem newspaper, was jailed on Sept. 11 over a news report alleging that a business operating in Göksu Nature Park in Bolu, a province in northwestern Turkey, charged visitors more than the official rate.
The news report at the center of the investigation into Aykan said the company, which operates a site leased from the state, had allegedly collected fees from visitors that exceeded those listed in the official tariff.
The report also included footage that had previously circulated on social media and appeared to support the allegation.
The footage was not recorded by Aykan, and the story was published after a member of the public alerted the newspaper to the issue, according to the report.
TGC: Aykan should be released
The Turkish Journalists' Association (TGC) called for Aykan's release in a statement issued by its executive board following his arrest.
The TGC said the news report was in the public interest and criticized Aykan's detention over his journalistic work. The association said allegations concerning fees charged by a business operating on publicly owned land should be considered part of the public's right to information.
The statement also cited Article 28 of Turkey's Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press, and Article 3 of Press Law No. 5187.
The TGC argued that pretrial detention was disproportionate, noting that Aykan has a fixed residence and saying there was no indication that he posed a flight risk or could tamper with evidence.
"We demand that Hüseyin Aykan be released as soon as possible," the TGC Executive Board said.
