15.10.2025 16:18
A journalist named Sebahattin Yum, who was detained due to the news titled "The governor has an umbrella, but the veteran does not" in Iğdır, was filmed leaving the police department by journalist Ercan Tunç, who was also detained. The Iğdır Working Journalists Association stated, "The process of Tunç's detention has made the situation even more serious. It is not a crime but a duty for journalists to provide information to the public as part of their profession."
İhlas News Agency (IHA) Iğdır reporter Sebahattin Yum reported an incident during the ceremony held on September 19, Veterans Day, with the headline "The governor has an umbrella, the veteran does not." Following the news, journalist Sebahattin Yum was detained for questioning.
"JOURNALIST DETAINED" NEWS ALSO LEADS TO DETENTION
IHA Iğdır reporter and Iğdır Journalists Association President Ercan Tunç, who captured the moment of Yum's exit from the police department, was also detained.
"WE SAID WE WROTE WHAT WE SAW IN OUR STATEMENT"
Regarding the issue, Yum stated, "While writing the news in the office, the door was knocked, and two officer friends came in. They said my statement would be taken. I asked about the issue, and they said they did not know what it was about. First, we went to the hospital for a health report. After getting the report, we went to the police station. They said the issue was related to the news we did on September 19. We learned that it was the news 'The governor has an umbrella, the veteran does not.' Iğdır Governor Ercan Turan had filed a complaint against me. It was claimed that misleading information was given to the public. We said in our statement that we wrote what we saw," he said.
"INFORMING THE PUBLIC IS NOT A CRIME, IT IS A DUTY"
The Iğdır Journalists Association reacted to the detentions. In a statement made by the association, the following expressions were included:
"The detention of IHA Iğdır reporter Sebahattin Yum after the news reported with the headline 'The governor has an umbrella, the veterans do not' during a ceremony held on September 19, Veterans Day, is an extremely concerning situation in terms of press freedom and freedom of expression. Following the incident, the detention of our colleague Sebahattin Yum and IHA Iğdır reporter and Iğdır Journalists Association President Ercan Tunç, who wanted to capture the moment of Yum's exit from the police, has further exacerbated the situation. It is not a crime, but rather a duty protected by constitutional guarantees for journalists to provide information and images to the public as part of their profession. Journalists are one of the fundamental pillars of democracy. Restricting their right to report and convey the truth not only represents an individual victimization but also obstructs the public's right to access accurate information. Detentions and pressures on journalists due to news, criticism, or commentary cast a shadow over democratic values. Sebahattin Yum and Ercan Tunç are journalists who have been working selflessly for many years to inform the public in Iğdır, adhering to professional principles. The process they experienced while performing their duties is concerning in terms of press freedom. As the Iğdır Journalists Association, we stand by our colleagues Sebahattin Yum and Ercan Tunç, demand that the incident be clarified in all its aspects, and call for necessary measures to be taken to prevent similar situations from occurring again. Press freedom is one of the most fundamental guarantees of democracy, transparent governance, and social justice. An environment where journalists can work freely is also a prerequisite for a strong society. Respectfully announced to the public."
THE SAME JOURNALIST DETAINED AGAIN FOR ANOTHER NEWS
In the Hasanhan village area of Iğdır's Aralık district, the "Dilucu Martyrs Monument," built for the 13 police officers who were martyred in an attack by PKK terrorists on a service vehicle carrying police officers at the Dilucu Border Gate on September 8, 2015, came back into the spotlight days after the commemoration ceremony held on the 10th anniversary of the attack due to images that emerged.
Approximately 20 days after the ceremony held on September 9, photos and videos taken by citizens showed that the halva, water, and juice boxes distributed during the ceremony around the monument, as well as the remnants of wreaths left at the monument, had not been collected. The images sparked reactions that the area was only remembered on commemorative days and was neglected afterward.
Upon receiving the images sent by citizens, IHA Iğdır reporter Sebahattin Yum went to the scene for verification and documented that the pollution continued. Following these findings, the issue was reported with the headline "Trash images after the ceremony at the Dilucu Martyrs Monument drew reactions." After the publication of the news, the monument area was cleaned and restored to its former state. However, after the publication of the news, an investigation was launched against journalist Sebahattin Yum. Yum was detained due to the news he made.
The accusation against the journalist claimed that the trash in the images was left in the area by some individuals afterward. However, it was clearly stated that the halva boxes found in the area after 20 days had the label "Police Department" on them, and the juice and wreath remnants were clearly from the day of the ceremony.