News Center- The Mesopotamia Women Journalists Association (Turkish: Mezopotamya Kadın Gazeteciler Derneği (MKG) has issued a written statement about the detention of five journalists, including Rabia Önver and Medine Mamedoğlu, in the city of Van on Saturday morning.

 “Journalism is not a crime,” the statement said, stressing that the journalists were detained while covering the vigil that started in the city after Abdullah Zeydan, Co-mayor of the municipality of Van, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.

“Five journalists, including our members Rabia Önver and Medine Mamedoğlu, were detained and handcuffed behind by police. Their detention is an obvious attack on press freedom. Our colleagues must be released immediately and the crackdown on journalists must end. The free press cannot be silenced.”