Turkey sentences at least 22 journalists on terrorism-related charges

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 9 March 2018

At least 22 journalists in Turkey have been sentenced under terrorism-related charges by a Turkish court. The Committee to Protect Journalists has condemned this decision and called for their immediate release.

Summary

ISTANBUL — The Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday condemned a Turkish court’s decision to sentence at least 22 journalists to prison on terrorism-related charges, and called on Turkish authorities to release them without delay.

"The sentencing in Istanbul today of at least 22 journalists on anti-state charges is a disgrace to Turkey's justice system, and we call on authorities to drop the charges on appeal," CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said from New York. "Turkish authorities must stop equating journalism with terrorism, and release the scores of press workers jailed for doing their job."

The journalists all denied the charges, according to media reports.

The trial, with a total 29 defendants, made headlines in March 2017, when a court ordered that 21 of them be released pending trial. Twenty of those were re-arrested on the same day, and the judges who released the defendants were later relieved of their jobs. Of the 20 re-arrested, prosecutors charged 12 of them with the more serious offense of plotting the failed coup of July 2015, a crime that could have carried a life sentence without parole. On Thursday, all the defendants were acquitted of the coup-related charges.

These are the journalists sentenced, along with their outlets, convictions, and sentences:

Atilla TaÅŸ, (columnist, daily Meydan); "knowingly and willingly aiding a [terrorist] organization," 37 months; free considering time served.

Murat Aksoy (columnist, daily Yeni Hayat); "knowingly and willingly aiding a [terrorist] organization," 25 months; free considering time served.

Ali AkkuÅŸ (editor, daily Zaman); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 7 years and six months.

Ahmet MemiÅŸ (editor, news websites Haberdar and Rotahaber); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 7 years and six months.

Yetkin Yıldız (editor, news website Aktif Haber); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 7 years and six months.

Seyid Kılıç (technician, TRT Haber Radio); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 7 years and six months.

Ünal Tanık (editor, news website Rotahaber); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 7 years and six months.

Muhammed Sait KuloÄŸlu (publisher and owner, news website Subuhaber); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 7 years and six months.

Cuma Ulus (editor, daily Millet); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 7 years and six months.

Mustafa Erkan Acar (editor, daily Özgür DüÅŸünce); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 7 years and six months.

Mutlu Çölgeçen (editor, Millet); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 7 years and six months.

Ufuk Şanlı (reporter, Millet); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 7 years and six months.

Abdullah Kılıç (columnist, daily Meydan); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 6 years and three months.

Bayram Kaya (reporter, daily Yeni Hayat); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 6 years and three months.

Bünyamin Köseli (reporter, news magazine Aksiyon); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 6 years and three months.

Cihan Acar (reporter, daily Bugün); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 6 years and three months.

Yakup Çetin (reporter, Yeni Hayat); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 6 years and three months.

Cemal Azmi Kalyoncu (reporter, Aksiyon); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 6 years and three months.

Halil İbrahim Balta (reporter/ daily Yarına Bakış); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 6 years and three months.

Habib Güler (reporter/Zaman); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 6 years and three months.

Hanım BüÅŸra Erdal (reporter/Zaman); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 6 years and three months.

Hüseyin Aydın (reporter/Cihan News Agency); "being a member of a [terrorist] organization," 6 years and three months. - A CPJ News Alert

KEY POINTS:

• 22 journalists sentenced on terrorism-related charges
• Court ruling criticized by Committee to Protect Journalists
• Many of the journalists denied the charges
• Trial included a total of 29 defendants
• Journalism equated with terrorism in Turkey