The European Union has expressed “concern” over the detention of journalists in Turkey as journalists in Istanbul call on the government to protect freedom of press.
The EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele's statement came after 10 journalists and writers were detained on Thursday and three other journalists two weeks earlier.
The arrests were made as an investigation is in process into an alleged secularist network accused of conspiring to topple the Islamic-rooted government.
"The European Commission is following with concern the recent police actions against journalists," Fuele said in a statement late Thursday.
Hundreds of people, from military officers to academics and politicians, are being tried in those cases.
Fuele pointed out that freedom of expression and press were fundamental principles which should be upheld in all modern democracies.
Meanwhile, a Press TV correspondent reported from Istanbul on Friday that up to one thousand journalists have marched through central Istanbul to deliver this message to the authorities, "Free Journalists in Turkey."
These journalists are hoping that their colleagues currently being detained will be released as soon as possible, and are calling for the Turkish government to ensure their profession is protected.
Two of those detained -- Ahmet Sik and Nedim Sener -- are well-respected journalists. In fact, it was Ahmet's investigative work that uncovered an anti-government plot written in the diaries of a former naval commander, which is now being used as evidence by the prosecution.
FTP/JM/MGH/HRF