Photo credit: www.bbc.com
‘We’re trying to bring democracy back’: BBC reporter speaks to protesters on the ground in Istanbul
I recently shared my excitement with family about returning to Turkey, a place I once called home. Just days into my stay, a phone call from the hotel reception disrupted my happiness.
“We have an urgent matter to discuss in person,” the receptionist informed me. “Could you come down?”
When I arrived, I was met by three plain-clothes police officers. They requested my passport and led me away, attempting to shield my colleagues from filming the encounter.
At that time, I had already been in Istanbul for three days, reporting on the surge of anti-government protests ignited by the apprehension of the city’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.
My initial detainment unfolded at the police headquarters where I spent seven hours. Two of my colleagues were allowed to stay and lawyers could come to speak to me. The atmosphere remained relatively relaxed, and some officers expressed their disagreement with what they described as a government mandate. One officer even offered a supportive hug, expressing hope for my release.
By 9:30 PM, I was transferred to the foreigners’ custody unit within Istanbul police. Here, the environment shifted dramatically, filled with officers who smoked incessantly as I tried to communicate in rudimentary Turkish. I was subjected to fingerprinting and denied access to legal advice or any communication with the outside world.
In the early hours of Thursday, I was presented with deportation papers, branded a “threat to public order.” When I sought clarification, they informed me it was a government decision.
One officer suggested I record a statement claiming I was leaving Turkey voluntarily to potentially ease my chances of returning in the future, which I declined, fearing it would be misused by state-controlled media.
By 2:30 AM, I was moved to a final holding area at the airport—situated in a room with hard seating. Disturbances from officers brushing their teeth, aircraft departures, and the morning call to prayer made it impossible to find any rest.
Seventeen hours post-detainment, I was transported to a waiting plane bound for London. Following international media coverage of my situation, the Turkish government’s press office later stated that my lack of proper accreditation was the reason for my expulsion, a justification not previously mentioned during my detention.
Throughout this ordeal, I was treated relatively well. I recognized that BBC management and the British Consulate in Istanbul were actively working to secure my release.
However, many individuals who have fallen victim to Turkish authorities do not have such support systems. During my tenure as the BBC Istanbul correspondent from 2014 to 2019, Turkey was known as the world’s leading jailor of journalists. According to Reporters Without Borders, Turkey ranks 158th out of 180 countries in the Press Freedom Index. Since the onset of the recent protests, eleven journalists have been among the approximately two thousand detained.
The current unrest was ignited by the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, seen as a serious contender against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the upcoming elections, and polls suggest he has the potential to unseat Erdogan.
Yet, this unrest has evolved into a broader call for democracy in a nation increasingly leaning towards authoritarianism. The government has systematically stifled criticism and debate, a trend I witnessed firsthand—an experience that left me with sadness and anxiety, while many others endure far worse circumstances.
On the political front, President Erdogan has firmly rejected the protests, labeling them as “street terrorism.” His position appears strengthened by the current international climate and Turkey’s strategic significance regarding issues such as Ukraine and Syria.
The pressing question remains whether these significant protests, the largest Turkey has seen in over a decade, can maintain their momentum or if Erdogan will effectively dismiss them. Those participating in the demonstrations are voicing a resounding “enough,” yet they remain aware never to underestimate Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Source
www.bbc.com