Journalist prevented from visiting colleague in prison

Click to read the article in Turkish

A journalist was not allowed to visit a colleague who is among the 16 Kurdish journalists who have been arrested since June.

Serdar Altan, head of the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG), had included his colleague Adnan Bilen in his visitor list. The Diyarbakır Type-D Prison, however, found Bilen "objectionable," denying him a visit.

Altan's lawyer, Resul Temur, filed an appeal with the Diyarbakır Judgeship of Penal Enforcement, demanding the reversal of the prison administration's decision.

The judgeship rejected the appeal, citing the relevant regulation, which says a penal enforcement institution can make an inquiry about visitors through law enforcement agencies. (HA/VK)