The lawsuit against 17 employees of government-critical Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet has been postponed until 9 March. The hearing was temporarily interrupted after Judge Abdurrahman Orkun Dağ had expelled accused journalist Ahmet Şık of chamber. Şık had criticized government in his defense and spoke of a “dictatorial regime.” Supporters of journalist shouted: “You too will all be brought to justice one day.” In addition to Şık, three or defendants remain in custody at least until trial is continued.
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The 17 journalists and employees of traditional newspaper are accused of “supporting terrorist organizations”. Among or things, this includes movement of Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, who makes President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan responsible for coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016. The defendants are threatened by up to 43 years of imprisonment. They reject all accusations. Many supporters consider process to be politically motivated.
In October 2016, in addition to or employees, Cumhuriyet editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu and editor Akın Atalay were arrested. Later followed by journalist Şık and bookkeeper of newspaper, Yusuf Emre IPer. The process began on July 24th. While most of employees were released during first hearings for duration of trial, Sabuncu, Atalay, Şık and IPer are still in custody. The editor-in-chief of newspaper’s online appearance, Oğuz Güven, was sentenced at end of November to three years and a month in prison for propaganda for Gülen movement.
In front of Istanbul Justice Palace Çağlayan, dozens of supporters of defendants gared and demanded, among or things, “Justice for all journalists” on posters. Some held up front page of current Cumhuriyet, which says, “Justice immediately.”
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Since attempted military coup, more than 55,000 people have been arrested in Turkey under suspicion of belonging to Gülen movement. Hundreds of opposition, journalists, academics and or government-critical intellectuals have also been detained.
