Journalist Jake Hess to Remain Under Detention for Another Day

According to American journalist Jake Hess' lawyer, the journalist will remain under detention for a third day. Lawyer Serkan Akbas stated that Hess is still at the Diyarbakir Police Department's Anti-Terrorism Branch. Akbas stated that legally detention lasts for 48 hours and added that the extension of this period suggests Hess may be deported.

Akbas: We don't know when the procedures will be finalised

Akbas stated that if the deportation procedures have begun, he could not tell when they would be finalised.

The International Press Service has stated that Jake Hess is not an agency reporter, but a freelance journalist, who contributed reports to the agency. The chief-editor of IPS Sanjay Suri told bianet that they are closely following Hess' situation.

Two reports by Hess

One of the reports Hess wrote for IPS, was a report titled, "We Don't Live, We Just Don't Die" dated 4 August. The report was on the people's restlessness because of the bombings of the Turkish Armed Forces.

Another report on 13 July was about the complaints of villagers in Sirnak regarding forest fires started by the Turkish army.

The report cited officials from the Forestry General Directorate saying that the Forestry Directorate in the southeast passively watches the fires started by the army.

Hess was detained on 11 August on allegations that his name is found in the "KCK Indictment" and that "he is aiding PKK."

"He is accused of writing subjective articles"

Hess' lawyer Serkan Akbas told bianet that he had the opportunity to see the journalist yesterday evening. He said that so far he has only been accused of "writing subjective articles about human rights in Turkey and thus, putting the Turkish state in a difficult position."

He may be deported

Akbas stated that Hess could be deported. According to Akbas, the Interior Ministry may decide to deport Hess for "threatening national security." He said it is impossible to turn such a procedure back. (EO)