Turkish media given four seats in neo-Nazi trial

MUNICH

Court spokeswoman Margarete Noetzel , right, addresses the media in Munich, southern Germany, on Monday, April 15, 2013. AP Photo

A German court has announced that it will allocate four seats to the Turkish media in Neo-Nazi murder trial following criticisms.

The court sparked controversy when it handed out media slots for the trial on a first-come, first-served basis, which ended up shutting out international and Turkish media outlets.

According to the statement published on Munich State Court website, four seats which are reserved for the Turkish press, will be decided by a draw. Separate draws will be held for Turkish and German media through separate bowls and attendees will be decided through by these draws.

Proceedings were to begin on April 17 against Beate Zschaepe, a woman accused of being part of a far-right killer cell accused of 10 murders. However, the first hearing was postponed to May 6 after Germany’s top court ordered the Munich judges last week to expand foreign media access to the trial.