15 January 2020•Update: 16 January 2020
ANKARA
Egyptian police raided the Cairo office of Anadolu Agency, detaining four employees Tuesday.
The detainees include one Turkish citizen who were taken to an unknown destination.
Turkey strongly condemned the raid and urged the immediate release of its employees.
"The raid to the Anadolu Agency’s Cairo office last night by the Egyptian security forces and the detention of some of the office workers without justification is an act of harassment and intimidation against the Turkish press, we strongly condemn it," Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"This act of violence against AA [Anadolu Agency] once again highlighted not only the negative approach of the Egyptian government to press freedom, but also its grave situation on democracy and transparency," the statement said.
"Western countries, which seem sensitive about the freedom of press and expression, have a role in this reckless attitude, by overlooking the condemnation of the violations in this country," it added.
Turkey’s Communications Director Fahrettin Altun also condemned the Egyptian authorities for their "hostile attitude towards the Turkish press".
"The hostile attempt of Egyptian coup d'etat towards the employees of Anadolu Agency is an indication of how insolent they are," Altun added.
Anadolu Agency's Director General Senol Kazanci called for the immediate release of the employees.
"Egyptian authorities should immediately release AA employees," Kazanci said.
He also stressed the attitude of the Egyptian security forces towards the press was "unacceptable."
Several senior Turkish officials extended support and conveyed their concerns to Kazanci, including Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu, Education Minister Ziya Selcuk, main opposition party head Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop, Transport Minister Cahit Turhan and Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli.
Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul said Turkey expected the immediate release of the employees who he said were "illegally detained."
Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli slammed the raid as "unlawful".
He said it was "a dark move" and a "clear insult" against Turkey.
Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party spokesman Omer Celik and deputy chairman Cevdet Yılmaz strongly condemned Egypt's seizure and detention of Anadolu Agency staff.
AK Party's Deputy Chairman Numan Kurtulmus called for the immediate release of the journalists and an apology from Egypt.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Vice President Fuat Oktay also called Kazanci about the raid and expressed his concern over the detention of the staff.
