Crimean journalist Gulsum Khalilova, who was on spot with the videos she shot during the Russian invasion operation against Ukraine, was released 16 hours after being detained. Stating that she was detained in Istanbul due to Russia’s complaint, she said, “If I were arrested or even killed in another country due to Russia’s complaint, I wouldn’t go to this much trouble, but in Turkey, which we love more than our souls, this kind of treatment, frankly, was very difficult for me.”
Gulsum Khalilova, who said that she came to Istanbul to attend the media workshop of the Global Council of Journalists and the award ceremony, made a statement on her social media account about her detention.
Gülsüm Khalilova, who stated that she was forcibly detained by Russia’s complaint in Turkey, expressed that she was very upset that some officials took this unfounded complaint of Russia seriously.
Gülsüm Khalilova used the following statements in her Twitter account:
‘I WAS HELD FOR 16 HOURS WITH RUSSIA’S COMPLAINT’
“I came to Turkey for two days at the invitation of the authorities to attend the Media Workshop of the Global Council of Journalists and the Award Ceremony, I was held at the airport for 16 hours at the request or application of Russia.
Since Russia occupied Crimea and considers the Crimean Turks as its own citizens, like me, it complains about anyone as it pleases. Later, the problem was solved with the intervention of the authorities. First of all, I would like to thank our Leader Mustafa Kirimoglu and the Foreign Affairs officials of Turkey and Ukraine and the relevant institutions.
’SUCH TREATMENT WAS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO BEAR’
Turkey does not recognize the occupation of Crimea, but I was very upset that I was kept here for 16 hours, that some officials took this unfounded complaint of Russia seriously. If I had been arrested or even killed in another country with the complaint of Russia, I would not have suffered so much, but in Turkey, which we love with all of our hearts, such treatment, even if it is a little bit, obviously went to me.
Russia, as an occupying country, oppresses even its own citizens and especially the Crimean Turks, who do not accept the occupation policy, and gives names to Interpol. I know that the Turkish Police have to follow some bureaucratic procedures, but not everyone is as lucky as me.
Therefore, I think that countries like Russia that act criminally and illegally should be removed from my Interpol system and their articles/accusations should be examined in more detail.”