PEN Germany Declares Jailed Journalist and Novelist Ahmet Altan Honorary Member

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PEN Germany Center released a press statement yesterday (November 19) and announced that they have declared jailed journalist and novelist Ahmet Altan an honorary member.

Referring to the re-arrest of Ahmet Altan, PEN Germany Vice Chair and Imprisoned Writers Director Ralf Nestmeyer has said, "This Turkish judicial arbitrariness is only politically motivated; it contradicts any rule of law and reveals the despotic character of the Turkish regime."

Underlining that "with the imprisonment of Altan, one of the most well-known critical voices has been silenced", Nestmeyer has continued as follows:

'His continued detention is not acceptable'

"Today, PEN Germany Center declares author Ahmet Altan an honorary member and solidarizes with him. 

"We urge the relevant Turkish authorities to immediately and unconditionally release our honorary member Ahmet Altan from prison.

"His continued detention is solely political and, therefore, it is neither acceptable nor justified. His conviction contradicts the right to freedom of expression and, thus, the Charter of PEN International."

Demirtaş is also an honorary member

Selahattin Demirtaş, the imprisoned former Co-Chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), is also an honorary member of PEN Germany.

The center declared Demirtaş an honorary member on December 4, 2018.

In a statement released on December 21, 2018, PEN Germany said, "The Turkish authorities must immediately release our honorary member Selahattin Demirtaş from his illegal pre-trial detention."

What happened?

Put on retrial in the wake of a verdict of reversal given by the Court of Cassation, Ahmet Altan was sentenced to 10 years, 6 months in prison on charge of "knowingly aiding a terrorist organization as a non-member." Considering the time that he had already served in prison, the court ruled for his arrest and he was released from prison on November 4.

Two days later, the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office objected to the verdict of release by appealing to the upper court, the İstanbul 27th Heavy Penal Court. Shortly afterwards, the court issued an arrest warrant against Altan. He was detained at his house on the same day (November 12). Ahmet Altan was arrested one day later and sent to Silivri Prison.

After Altan was detained, his lawyer Figen Çalıkuşu appealed to the upper court against his detention. However, the İstanbul 28th Heavy Penal Court, the upper court rejected her objection.

She also objected against the verdict after Ahmet Altan was arrested. However, the 28th Heavy Penal Court has rejected her objection again. (EKN/SD)