Turkish journalist detained for 14th time over social media post

Journalist Ahmet Erkan Yigitçozlü was detained for a post on X, his 14th detention, the Stockholm Freedom Center reported, citing the Turkish publication Bold Medya.

The journalist was detained over a tweet in which he criticized Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). In his post, Yigitçozlü claimed that party members are focused on «corruption and profit».

Yigitzozlü is an editor at KHK TV, which covers the stories of people dismissed from their jobs by government decrees after the 2016 coup attempt.

The journalist was detained on January 5 in his own apartment, but was released after questioning at the police station, his lawyer said. 

Two years ago, Yigitçozlü was accused of having ties to the Gülen religious movement. The last court hearing in his case took place on October 15, 2024, and the court sentenced him to more than six years in prison. The journalist pleaded not guilty.

After the verdict, Yigitzozlu appealed the decision to the Supreme Court of Appeal. His case remains pending, and he continues to await the court's decision.