A year has passed since TELE1 Editor-in-Chief, journalist Merdan Yanardağ, was arrested on charges of "political espionage".
Yanardağ, who was detained on October 24, 2025 and arrested on October 27, is in Marmara Prison in Silivri.
Yanardağ is being tried together with detained Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality President Ekrem İmamoğlu, İmamoğlu's election campaign director Necati Özkan and Hüseyin Gün within the scope of the same file.
Speaking to Evrim Kepenek from bianet on the first year of his detention, Yanardağ denied the accusations; He argued that the main goal of the case was to seize TELE1 and suppress opposition journalism.
“A FIFTH CLASS Plot”
Yanardağ described the case in which he was tried as a "fifth-class conspiracy" and claimed that the accusations were not based on concrete evidence.
Yanardağ said, "Coup law is fully implemented" and argued that democratic activities such as participating in elections, supporting a candidate and broadcasting in this direction have been turned into criminal elements in the indictment.
Yanardağ said, "They want to ban the use of democratic rights and freedoms for the purpose of opposition against the government."
“THE ONLY EVIDENCE IN THE FILE IS THE KILIÇDAROGLU PUBLICATION”
Yanardağ said that the main element shown as evidence in the file was the live broadcast he made with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on June 22, 2023.
Reminding that the broadcast in question was made about a month after the elections, Yanardağ stated that the accusation in the indictment was based on the allegation that he created a political atmosphere in favor of Ekrem İmamoğlu and Özgür Özel by putting Kılıçdaroğlu in a difficult situation with harsh questions.
Yanardağ also rejected the allegations that these activities were carried out on behalf of foreign powers and described the accusations as "tragicomic".
“The aim was to seize TELE1”
Yanardağ argued that his arrest and the appointment of a trustee to TELE1 were not independent processes.
Yanardağ said, "The seizure of TELE1 and my arrest are two directly related objectives of the operation," and claimed that the aim was to silence himself and his colleagues.
Arguing that there is an attempt to intimidate independent and opposition media, Yanardağ said that if journalists withdraw or accept the limits drawn by the government, it will have serious consequences for the profession.
HE EXPLAINED PRISON CONDITIONS
Yanardağ also gave information about the conditions in Marmara Prison.
Stating that he stayed in a cell of approximately 12 square meters and a courtyard of similar size, Yanardağ said that the courtyard was open between 08.00 in the morning and 18.00 in the evening.
Stating that he has the right to visit for one hour a week, open visits are held once a month and can only use the phone for 10 minutes a week, Yanardağ said, "We are being held in conditions of aggravated life imprisonment."
HE CONTINUES TO WRITE IN PRISON
Yanardağ stated that he continued to read and write in prison and talked about his new book work.
Reminding that his book titled "Dialectics of Rebellion and Philosophy", for which he had previously completed preparations, was published in the first month of his detention, Yanardağ said that his work titled "Writings of Resistance to Silivri", which he wrote entirely in prison, also met with the readers.
Stating that he is working on a new book, Yanardağ stated that he continues his weekly articles and evaluations sent to TELE1.
“SİLİVRİ IS ALSO AN AREA OF RESISTANCE”
Stating that he received many letters from different regions of Turkey from the prison, Yanardağ stated that he tried to respond to them as much as possible.
Stating that it is not always possible to access newspapers and that he does not experience any serious problems with books, Yanardağ said, "Silivri is not only a center of political oppression, but also an area of resistance."
MESSAGE TO YOUNG JOURNALISTS: “DON'T DARK YOUR NECK”
Yanardağ said that the detention of the founder of a news channel and a journalist with more than 40 years of professional experience could have a deterrent effect on young journalists.
Arguing that this is one of the aims of the government, Yanardağ stated that journalists in Turkey have a historical tradition of resistance.
Yanardağ said, "I would like to tell the young people this: Since Namık Kemal, the intellectuals and journalists of this country have had a tradition of resistance. Those who survived were the ones who resisted."
Addressing his colleagues, Yanardağ said, "There is no need to get upset or demoralize us."
“WE ARE NOT FORGOTTEN”
Stating that detention was hurtful for him, Yanardağ said that the support he received from the society, his colleagues and his audience was one of the most important sources of strength.
Yanardağ said, "I think the greatest punishment that can be given to a person is to be forgotten," and gave the message "We are not forgotten."
Stating that it is difficult to stay away from journalism, its readers and viewers, Yanardağ emphasized that prison conditions should not be romanticized and said, "Prisons are dungeons."
