The arrest of the editor-in-chief of an opposition newspaper over allegations of “insulting” the Turkish president via twitter caused public backlash around the world, with some calling it an example of a “government crackdown” on freedom of speech.
Law enforcement apprehended Kenes at the newspaper’s headquarters. The event was televised live, and a crowd of supporters gathered in front of the building with signs reading "Free media cannot be silenced!"
"I will continue to oppose turning this country
into an open-air prison and an unlawful, oppressive and arbitrary
administration," he said, according to the Telegraph.
“Referring Today’s Zaman Editor-in-Chief Bülent Keneş to a court for arrest ahead of elections is another example of intimidation of the media. We hope these moves which harm Turkish democracy end,” the statement read.
US and European officials also expressed outrage. Graham Watson, president of the Alliance of Liberal and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Party, tweeted his support for Kenes.
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