British Vice News Journalists Released, Iraqi Journalist is Still Under Arrest

British Vice News journalists Jake Hanrahan and Philip Pendlebury who were accused of ‘supporting an illegal organization’ in Diyarbakır province, in southeastern Turkey were released. Iraqi interpreter M.İ.R  is still under arrest.

Diyarbakır Bar President Tahir Elçi told bianet:

"This incident was indecent. They would have been in prison if public opinion and international media hadn’t reacted to it. Iraqi interpreter was made scapegoat.  He is totally innocent.”

What happened?

Hanrahan, Pendlebury and two journalists who were also interpreters were detained in Diyarbakır province last week. The journalists were sent to Criminal Court of Peace on duty for arrest on Monday.

The Court decided that Hanrahan, Pendlebury and M.İ.R would be arrested for ‘helping an illegal organization deliberately without participating in its hierarchy.’

Detainee A.D. was released.

Amnesty International, PEN International and Committee to Protect Journalists reacted to the arrests of the Vice News journalists and interpreters.

Vice News

VICE News is a global news channel. It was founded in 2013 in New York City. VICE News broadcasts documentaries about various subjects. VICE News updates its website daily with breaking news stories and investigative reports, along with daily updates to its YouTube channel that include daily news updates, trailers, and documentaries.  (EA/BD)

Click here to read the article in Turkish

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