The first hearing of journalist Ercüment Akdeniz, who has been detained since February 22 due to the HDK investigation, was held today at Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court. While the defense and witness statements were taken, the court ruled for Akdeniz’s continued detention. MPs, journalists and rights defenders who wanted to watch the hearing were not allowed into the courtroom.
Akdeniz stated that the indictment is full of fictional and baseless accusations and emphasized that his journalistic activities are criminalized. Witnesses stated that they did not know Akdeniz and that their previous statements were taken under duress.
Before the hearing, DİSK Basın-İş organized a statement in front of the Istanbul Courthouse, chanting “Journalism is not a crime” and “Truth cannot be silenced”. Political party representatives, journalists’ organizations and human rights defenders supported Akdeniz.
Bianet