Çiğdem Mater is a Turkish film producer and journalist. She was one of 13 civil society figures arrested in November 2018 by the Turkish government in connection to the crackdown against people and organisations connected to philanthropist Osman Kavala and the 2013 Gezi Park protests.
Çiğdem Mater | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Occupation(s) | Film producer, journalist |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Known for | Arrest by Turkish government |
| Notable work | Human Flow |
| Spouse |
Murat Utku (m. 2004) |
Mater acted as producer on Ai Weiwei's 2017 documentary Human Flow, as well as Turkish films Majority,[1] Sivas and Toz Bezi.[2]
In November 2018, Mater was one of 13 civil society activists, most connected with the philanthropic organisation Anadolu Kultur, who were detained by police in connection to the investigation to jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala. Amnesty International's Andrew Gardner commented on the arrests that,
"This latest wave of detentions of academics and activists, on the basis of absurd allegations, shows that the authorities are intent on continuing their brutal crackdown of independent civil society".[3]
The Turkish government alleges that those involved in the protests sought to overthrow the government of then Prime Minister, now President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.[4] Pro-government Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah reported that the activists had been arrested for "creating chaos with the ultimate intent to overthrow the government."[5]
The Globe Post noted that Mater had acted as a 'consultant' to Anadolu Kultur.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Cigdem Mater". BFI. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "Cigdem Mater". IMDb. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "Turkey's brutal crackdown continues with new wave of detentions of activists and academics". www.amnesty.org. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "Turkish police detain 13 academics, activists in raids". thenewstribune. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "13 detained for inciting Gezi Park riots". DailySabah. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "Turkey Detains Prominent Academics Linked to Jailed Activist". Globe Post Turkey. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
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