Hüseyin Aykan, owner and editor-in-chief of Bolu Gündem, a local newspaper based in northwestern Turkey, has been released after spending 24 days in custody following his arrest on Sept. 11 over a news report he published.
The first hearing in Aykan’s case is scheduled for Feb. 18, 2027.
MLSA — The investigation into journalist Hüseyin Aykan was launched after his news website published footage alleging that a company operating an area leased from the state at Göksu Nature Park in Bolu, a province in northwestern Turkey, had demanded fees from visitors above the official rate.
The footage, which circulated on social media, was not recorded by Aykan, according to information about the case. It was filmed in a public area and was turned into a news report after a member of the public submitted it to the outlet’s tip line.
The news report brought to public attention allegations concerning the operation of a publicly owned nature park and was published with both the footage and the allegations.
Aykan is due to appear before a judge on Feb. 18, 2027.
Following his release, the Turkish Journalists’ Association, or TGC, also issued a statement. The association said Aykan, who serves as its representative in Bolu, had been jailed for publishing a news report concerning a matter of public interest and said his journalistic work should be considered within the scope of the public’s right to information.
The TGC said pretrial detention over journalistic activity should be an exceptional measure and used only as a last resort.
“Journalism is not a crime,” the association said.
