Türkiye: Protect journalist Murat Ağırel amid escalating death threats

The International Press Institute (IPI) and undersigned press freedom and freedom of expression groups strongly condemn the ongoing and intensifying threats against prominent Turkish journalist Murat Ağırel. We are deeply alarmed by the persistent pattern of intimidation, surveillance, and death threats targeting Ağırel, which represent a severe assault on press freedom and the safety of journalists in Türkiye.

These threats and acts of intimidation are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, systemic issue affecting press freedom in Türkiye, where independent journalists frequently face significant risks in their pursuit of truth. We urgently call on the authorities to thoroughly investigate these threats and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. 

Escalating assault on press freedom: Murat Ağırel’s harrowing year-long ordeal

The pattern of threats and intimidation against Ağırel has escalated significantly over the past year, with increasing intensity and frequency:

• 21 November, 2023: Ağırel shared on X, formerly Twitter, that he received death threats related to his investigative work on money laundering and tax evasion allegations against Dilan Polat and Engin Polat, who were recently arrested for alleged money laundering.
• 24 November, 2023: On the YouTube channel ‘Tactical Mania Plus’, hosts Nevzat Dindar and Alper Mert criticised Ağırel for mentioning the name of a Galatasaray (one of Turkey’s leading football clubs) executive in his reports on match-fixing allegations, insinuating a death threat against him. 
• 29 November, 2023: Ağırel revealed on a live broadcast on Halk TV that the threats extended to his family, including death and rape threats against his wife, 12-year-old daughter, and sisters, due to his reports on match-fixing allegations.
• 10 May, 2024: Ağırel faced renewed threats in response to his book Havala, which exposes drug trafficking and money laundering in Türkiye. He reported instances of intimidation, including surveillance of his home and personal movements.
• 12 June, 2024: Ağırel shared on X that he was under ongoing surveillance, with people filming his house, rummaging through his household waste, damaging his car, and following his family members. Ağırel told the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) that police identified and questioned some individuals but took no further action after they denied spying on the journalist.
• 21 June, 2024: In an article in the pro-government newspaper Türkgün, Ağırel and three other journalists were openly targeted for their coverage of the Sinan Ateş murder case. The journalists were openly singled out because of their reporting.
• 22 July, 2024: During a recent hearing in the Sinan Ateş murder case, legal experts from the Turkish government ally the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) filed a petition claiming the MHP was a ‘victim’ and sought to participate in the case as an ‘aggrieved party’.  The court denied the request. The petition accused various groups, including investigative journalists, with Ağırel and 62 other journalists being openly labeled as ‘agents of influence’ by MHP spokespersons in connection with their journalism.
• Most alarmingly, on 3 September, 2024, Ağırel received a new death threat via a video, where a masked individual claimed that a contract had been placed on his life and that an execution order had been issued. The individual also mentioned a parliamentarian allegedly involved in the threat.
• 4 September, 2024: The General Directorate of Police issued a statement on its X account announcing the detention of two individuals responsible for threatening Ağırel in the video and recording the footage.

We are profoundly alarmed by the relentless death threats and the escalating harassment aimed not only at Murat Ağırel but also at his family. These brazen acts of intimidation are a stark reminder of the perilous environment in which independent journalists in Türkiye must operate. We urge Turkish authorities to take immediate action to protect Ağırel and his family, thoroughly investigate these threats, and bring those responsible to justice, while upholding the principles of press freedom.

Signed

International Press Institute (IPI)

ARTICLE 19 Europe

Articolo 21

Association of Journalists, Ankara

Association of European Journalists (AEJ)

Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ)

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Danish PEN

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)

Index on Censorship

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS)

Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)

Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)

PEN America

PEN Canada

PEN International

PEN Norway

Platform for Independent Journalism (P24)

Progressive Journalists Association (ÇGD)

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)

Swedish PEN

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

This statement was produced by IPI as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and candidate countries, funded by the European Commission.