The International Press Institute (IPI) today joined other leading international free expression groups as well as international journalists and European Parliament members in observing the start of a major trial against journalists with Turkey’s last major critical newspaper.
The 17 journalists and executives with the secular daily Cumhuriyet – some of whom face up to 43 years in prison – have been charged with bogus terror-related offences.
After protest outside, courtroom packed for trial of #cumhuriyet17 international observers, press, world is watching #freeturkeyjournalists
— Barbara (IPI) (@barbara_trionfi) July 24, 2017
The indictment in the case relies almost entirely on news reports and Twitter posts. IPI and other rights groups have rejected the charges as politically motivated in response to Cumhuriyet’s criticism of Turkey’s government.
IPI, together with international partners including the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), PEN International and its branches in Norway, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy, and the Netherlands, the European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ and IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), today renewed its call for authorities to release the journalists from prison and for the court to dismiss all charges.
We are sick & tired of these mass trials, crazy accusations, arbitrary detentions & human tragedies. #SaveTurkishJournalists! Sign petition! https://t.co/E5r8OF4J4A
— RSF_EECA (@RSF_EECA) July 24, 2017
Right to defense cannot be limited! We demand a fair trial to the #cumhuriyet17 defendants @cumhuriyetgzt @ECPMF
— ECPMF (@ECPMF) July 24, 2017
Members of the European Parliament in attendance voiced deep concern over the state of media freedom in Turkey.
Gianni Pittella, leader of the S&D parliamentary group, and Rebecca Harms of the Greens both cited the trial as a worrying sign of the erosion of democracy and human rights.
#Cumhuriyet17 trial proves that when media freedom is threatened, so is democracy. I am very worried about it. #Turkey
— Gianni Pittella (@giannipittella) July 24, 2017
Kadri Gursel to the judge:”Journalistic curiosity cannot be prosecuted” He is right. But in Turkey it happens. #Cumhuriyet17 @candundaradasi
— Rebecca Harms (@RebHarms) July 24, 2017
Some of the most powerful testimonies today were given by the defendants themselves, with Cumhuriyet columnist and IPI Board Member Kadri Gürsel offering a moving defence of his and his colleagues’ right to practice independent journalism.
“I’m here because they had to make sure that I had to be silenced – given my staunch opposition” #KadriGürsel #Cumhuriyet17 #FreeTurkeyMedia pic.twitter.com/HiJyvTEOzF
— Gülsin Harman (@gulsinharman) July 24, 2017
Other voices denouncing the proceedings included Akin Atalay, Cumhuriyet’s CEO and executive board chair, who faces up to 43 years in prison; Can Dündar, the paper’s former editor-in-chief, who now lives in exile in Germany, and is being tried in absentia; and Muratcan Sabuncu, son of accused Cumhuriyet Editor-in-Chief Murat Sabuncu and who urged Europe today not to turn its back on Turkey.
after the break, #AkinAtalay gives his testimony. says this trial is murder of justice #Cumhuriyet17
— Arzu Geybulla (@arzugeybulla) July 24, 2017
We know that,all those people from @cumhuriyetgzt are journalists and they’ve done nothing but journalism”@BBCNews https://t.co/e33AycNKga
— Can Dündar (@candundaradasi) July 24, 2017
My father and press freedom are on trial in Turkey – don’t look away, Europe | Muratcan Sabuncu https://t.co/xDIeQ6UHqX
— Muratcan Sabuncu (@muratcansabuncu) July 24, 2017
Please, journalists around the world, follow the trial of our Turkish colleagues starting today @selingirit @pressfreedom https://t.co/QsvYYJCDMz
— alan rusbridger (@arusbridger) July 24, 2017
Prominent cartoonist Musa Kart, who has worked for Cumhuriyet for 23 years, staunchly defended the role of satire and cartoons to promoting critical thinking, as Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI) noted:
#MusaKart “Cartoons tell their story much more directly and efficiently. That is why ı am facing imprisonment up to 29 years.” #Cumhuriyet17
— CRNI (@CRNetInt) July 24, 2017
The Cumhuriyet journalists will continue their defence in court tomorrow and throughout the week. International supporters will join their families in observing the proceedings and offering solidarity.
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