Writers at Risk Database

Maria Ressa

Ressa, acclaimed journalist and CEO of digital news outlet Rappler, faces legal and political backlash for covering human rights abuses. She was convicted of tax fraud and cyber libel… More

Writers at Risk Database

Gökçe Fırat Çulhaoğlu

Çulhaoğlu is a prolific author and lead columnist for the political publication Türk Solu. His writing and tweets served as evidence of terrorism charges, leading to an over 6-year… More

Ahmet Sik

Ahmet Şik | Status: On Trial | Turkey

Ahmet Şık is an investigative journalist and writer dedicated to reporting on human rights abuses and government actions in Turkey. He was charged on December 30, 2016, with disseminating… More

Deniz Zarakolu

The son of human rights activists, Zarakolu was first arrested in 2002 for a speech he gave at his mother's funeral. In 2011, he was arrested again in a… More

Moses Nsubuga Viboyo

Nsubuga, a musician and activist, was arrested and charged for allegedly using derogatory terms in a song to refer to President Yoweri Museveni on October 4, 2018. He was… More

Writers at Risk Database

Stella Nyanzi

Dr. Nyanzi was imprisoned on cybercrime charges in 2018 for writing a poem she posted online using President Museveni’s birth as a metaphor to criticize his repressive rule. She… More

Writers at Risk Database

Robert Kyagulanyi Bobi Wine

Musician Bobi Wine has galvanized a generation of Ugandans to seek new leadership. He has opposed President Museveni's policies and has been barred from performing his music. He is… More

Writers at Risk Database

Can Dündar

A former editor-in-chief of Cumhuriyet, Dündar has been directly targeted by President Erdoğan for his writing. In 2020, Dündar was convicted in absentia to over 27 years in prison… More

Writers at Risk Database

Ahmet Şık

Investigative reporter Şik was detained in 2011 for “spreading terrorist propaganda” in a book he wrote on the controversial Gülen movement. He was released a year later, but was… More

Cemal Azmi Kalyoncu

Kalyoncu was detained in the crackdown following the failed 2016 coup. His writing and tweets were used as evidence of terrorism charges against him, resulting in a six and… More