Journalist Oya Lale Arslan arrested in Turkey

Freelance journalist Oya Lale Arslan has been arrested in Ankara, Turkey, on suspicion of “publicly spreading disinformation” and conducting propaganda for a terrorist organization. The arrest followed a police search of her home and the confiscation of her digital devices.

During interrogation, Arslan was questioned regarding her past YouTube broadcasts related to the FETÖ organization, a group linked to Fethullah Gülen that the Turkish government blames for the 2016 coup attempt. According to interrogation documents, Arslan stated that she considers the group to be a terrorist organization and denied engaging in propaganda for them.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for Arslan’s immediate release, accusing Turkish authorities of using disinformation and terrorism laws to silence independent media. CPJ representative Özgür Öğret stated that the legislation is being used to suppress journalists and urged for legal reforms to protect constitutional rights to free press work.