The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed “concern” over the sudden reversal by Turkey’s judiciary, which ultimately ordered the imprisonment of seven journalists, including a photographer from Agence France-Presse (AFP). The journalists are accused of participating in illegal gatherings.

“It is alarming that the initial decision of an Istanbul court to release the journalists was immediately overturned following a prosecutor’s intervention, according to their lawyers and representatives,” said Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a statement to AFP.

“The safety and rights of media workers must be protected while they carry out their professional duties, especially when covering major protests such as those in Istanbul,” she added.

Turkey in Turmoil Amid Youth-Led Protests

Turkey is experiencing a wave of protests, largely driven by young demonstrators, following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key political opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Despite the unrest, Erdoğan reiterated his refusal to back down, referring to the demonstrations as “street terror.”

In the past week alone, Turkish police have detained at least 1,400 individuals, accusing them of participating in unauthorized gatherings, according to authorities.

The state-run Anadolu news agency reported that in Istanbul, 172 people were detained in recent days for alleged provocations, violence, or covering their faces during demonstrations.

Seven Journalists Among Those Jailed

Among those imprisoned are seven journalists, including a photographer from AFP, who authorities claim participated in banned demonstrations.

AFP’s CEO Fabrice Fries called for the immediate release of the detained journalist.

“Yasin Akgül was not protesting; he was covering one of the many demonstrations organized across the country since Wednesday, March 19, as a journalist,” Fries stated.

Concerns Over Media Freedom & Digital Censorship

The UN Human Rights Office is not physically present in Turkey but has received “numerous credible reports” indicating that at least twelve journalists have been arrested, including pre-dawn home raids.

Additionally, the UN has received multiple reports citing restricted access to social media platforms, which it says violates freedom of expression by preventing people from seeking, receiving, and sharing information.

Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) announced it has filed an appeal with Turkey’s Constitutional Court after being ordered by authorities to block at least 100 accounts that have been critical of the government.