The first hearing of the lawsuit against journalist Deniz Yücel, who remained in prison for one year without an indictment prepared against him, was held at Istanbul 32nd Assize Court.
Yücel faces an imprisonment claim for up to 18 years due to ‘making terrorist organization propaganda’ and ‘inciting people towards resentment and hostility.’ Yücel’s lawyer Veysel Ok indicated that no concrete evidence took place in the three-page indictment, stating that his client’s worldview and journalism is being put on trial. “They presented the news titles as evidence, without mentioning the content… Evidence was created with the ability of the police… No prosecutor can decide on or question the content of news,” Ok said. Denying their claim for acquittal, the court scheduled the next hearing for December 20th, deciding for Yücel to testify at a court at the location of his residence abroad.
29.06.2018
bianet.org