Terror charges against journalists ‘shocking,’ says European body

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

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The terrorism charges against Turkish journalists currently on trial are “shocking to hear,” according to The European Federation of Journalists President Arne König, who attended the Feb. 4 trial of the 46 journalists in Silivri Prison.

König was accompanied by Turkish Union of Journalists (TGS) President Ercan İpekçi during the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) trials, which are scheduled to last all week, with journalists accused of having links to terrorist organizations.

“It was shocking for us to hear that normal journalistic activity can be considered illegal and an act of terror,” König was quoted as saying in a statement released by the body today.

İpekçi also voiced concern about the trials, saying no “real change of attitude” was coming from the Turkish authorities.

The Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) probe, which resulted in the arrest of nine lawyers for alleged links to the organization, as well as a possible ban on Turkish organizations against receiving financial support from foreign sources, could further strain the freedom of expression in Turkey, the statement added.

Turkish Journalists Federation (TGF) members also conducted a visit yesterday to Silivri prison to show support for their colleagues, spending time with the journalists’ relatives as well. Several prominent journalists were present during the visit.

Around 75 journalists are currently standing trial in Turkey, according to EFJ numbers.