Arrest Warrant Issued Against Eren Erdem Shortly After Verdict of Release

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After a verdict of release was pronounced by the İstanbul 23rd Heavy Penal Court for main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Party Assembly member and former İstanbul MP Eren Erdem yesterday (January 7), the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has objected to Erdem's release. An arrest warrant has been issued against Erdem.

Eren Erdem, who was also Editor-in-Chief of the closed Karşı newspaper, has been tried as part of a lawsuit along with 11 other defendants, including the owner of the newspaper Turan Ababey.

Arrest warrant due to "suspicion of escape"

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency, the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office objected to the verdict of release given for Eren Erdem by the İstanbul 23rd Heavy Penal Court.

The Prosecutor's Office demanded that an arrest warrant be issued against Eren Erdem considering the amount of penalty stipulated by law for the charged offences as well as the suspicion of escape.

Evaluating the objection of the Prosecutor's Office, the upper court, the İstanbul 24th Heavy Penal Court, has unanimously ruled that an arrest warrant shall be issued against Eren Erdem.

Erdem faces up to 19 years in prison

In its opinion as to the accusations, the Prosecutor's Office demanded that Erdem be sentenced to 8.5 to 19 years in prison on charges of "aiding an armed terrorist organization as a non-member" and "violation of the confidentiality of the investigation."

Hearing the defense of the attorneys as to the accusations, the 23rd İstanbul Heavy Penal Court ruled that Erdem shall be released on probation.

CHP Deputy Chair and Spokesperson Faik Öztrak commented, "The arrest of our Party Assembly member Eren Erdem has ended, but the case still continues. Frankly, he is being tried for a reason that is well known by the public but we expect this sham trial to collapse as other sham trials."

What happened?

A lawsuit has been filed against Eren Erdem because of the works that he did as the Editor-in-Chief of the Karşı newspaper.

Erdem has been facing 9.5 to 12 years in prison for the offenses of "Intentionally and willingly aiding an armed terrorist organization while not being included in its hierarchical structure", "disclosing an anonymous witness," and "violating the confidentiality of the investigation."

After the indictment was accepted by the court, Eren Erdem went to İstanbul Atatürk Airport on May 21, 2018 but was not able to depart because of the international travel ban imposed on him.

Erdem was arrested on June 29, 2018 and sent to the Silivri Prison. His first hearing was held at the 23rd Heavy Penal Court on September 19.

The compensation penalty of 18 thousand Turkish Liras (approx. 3,372 US Dollars) given to Erdem for insulting the Minister of Treasury and Finance Berat Albayrak was also upheld by the court of appeal, the 4th Civil Chamber of the İstanbul Regional Court of Justice on January 7.

What is Erdem charged with?

In the indictment filed by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it has been stated that the then CHP İstanbul MP Eren Erdem made statements on an anonymous witness nicknamed "Ayçiçeği" (Sunflower) in the Karşı newspaper case and those statements were published on Zaman newspaper and Aktif Haber news website, both of which were closed. It has also been alleged that Erdem disclosed the anonymous witness for a second time and the Prosecutor's Office filed a criminal complaint against him.

According to indictment, "Owner of Karşı newspaper Turan Ababey and Eren Erdem met during Gezi Park incidents. They decided to found the newspaper in October 2013. The newspaper, which was founded on February 9, 2014, ended publication after 66 days due to economic difficulties."

Erdem is charged with "Trying to make the government incapable of doing its duty by creating a perception of public opinion using press and broadcast organs." (AS/HK/SD)

* Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Archive