A French journalist was arrested Monday in Istanbul while covering a political rally denouncing the offensive launched by Syrian forces against Kurdish-controlled areas in northeastern Syria. The arrest took place in the Sancaktepe district, on the sidelines of a demonstration organized by the pro-Kurdish DEM party.
Raphaël Boukandoura, a correspondent for several French media outlets including Courrier International and Ouest France, was taken into custody, according to Reporters Without Borders. The DEM party also reported the arrest of several of its members during the rally, which was described as peaceful.
Mobilization around the situation of the Kurds in Syria
The demonstration was intended to protest the deployment of the Syrian army in territories recently evacuated by Kurdish forces after several days of fighting. The DEM denounced significant civilian casualties and the undermining of prospects for Kurdish autonomy in the region, a particularly sensitive issue in Turkey where the Kurdish minority represents approximately one-fifth of the population.
Reporters Without Borders called for the journalist's immediate release, stating that he was simply doing his job as a journalist. Ouest France also demanded his release, amid regional tensions that raise concerns about the impact on the fragile dialogue process between Ankara and Kurdish representatives.
