Law Apprentice Imprisoned for 26 Months Over His Visit to North Korea

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Arrested while he was doing his law apprenticeship at Ankara Bar Association, Naim Eminoğlu has been released in his third hearing held at the İstanbul 28th Heavy Penal Court yesterday (December 24).

Imprisoned due to his touristic visit to North Korea, Eminoğlu had been behind bars since October 12, 2017.

CLICK - Reason for Trainee Solicitor's Arrest: Visiting North Korea

Sending a letter to bianet from Burhaniye Type T Prison in Balıkesir, Eminoğlu previously recounted his judicial process in following words:

"I could not complete my apprenticeship because I was arrested while I was doing it. My trial continues at the İstanbul 28th Heavy Penal Court. The first hearing was held on October 4-5, 2018. The second hearing was held on November 22, 2018, I was not released in that hearing, either. But, what is 'my major offense' that caused me to be arrested for 15 months? Testifying in the file, the anonymous witness said that I went to North Korea in 2017..."

Eminoğlu also asked how it could be considered a crime to go to North Korea for touristic purposes, with his legal passport and by legal means:

"Yes, I have been to North Korea to attend the celebrations of the 100th birthday of the founding President of the Democratic Republic of North Korea. Is it a crime to go to a country to participate in touristic activities?

"The anonymous witness tries to present my visit, which I made with my legal passport, as a crime." (AS/SD)