Journalist Demir's Photo with Demirtaş Cited as Crime Evidence: 'This is Clearly a Plot'

Click to read the article in Turkish

Journalist Hayri Demir's interview and photograph with Selahattin Demirtaş, the former co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), were cited as evidence in the case he is being tried for "being a member of a terrorist organization" and "propagandizing for a terrorist organization.

Speaking to bianet before the hearing that will be held on October 23 at Ankara 15th Heavy Penal Court, Demir said that the investigation minute prepared by Bolu Security Directorate was added to the case file.

He said that he interviewed Demirtaş on October 1, 2015, and the photos, the text and his social media posts on the interview are cited as evidence.

"Stolen memory cards were delivered to the police"

"Thieves broke into my house in Ankara on February 28, 2017. The person or people who broke into the house just took the two memory cards of the camera in the drawer, rather than taking the money box which was full of money. I notified the police. Police officers came, searched for fingerprints and took minutes.

"The stolen memory cards were delivered to the police afterward. In contradicting minutes, it is stated that the memory cards were brought to provincial and district security directorates.

"An indictment was prepared against me over the photos in the memory cards. The news reports, footage and photos in the stolen memory cards were cited as evidence for charges. News material on the card was made the subject of allegations. It was requested that I shall be sentenced to from nine years to 22.5 years in prison."

"Security Directorate put everything about my journalistic activities in an investigation minute"

"The first hearing of the case was held last September. Before the second hearing which will be held on October 23, Bolu Security Directorate put everything about my journalistic activities in an investigation minute. My news report on Selahattin Demirtaş is also in it.

"It is said, 'The person who is a DİHA reported and is arrested now shared a photograph of the interview he made with the person called Selahattin Demirtaş,' in the minute prepared by Bolu Security Directorate."

"Is it a crime to interview a political party's chairperson?"

"An interview I made with a chairperson of the party which received six million votes was made the subject of allegations. We understand from the investigation that journalism can be considered a crime by both the judiciary and the government.

"If you are a dissident, it is not possible to escape from allegations. This example shows the situation of the freedom of the press in Turkey."

"It is clear this case is a plot. There are 180 countries in the world and Turkey ranks 157th. It deteriorates day by day." (HA/VK)