Imprisoned for 'Terrorism' Charges, 47 Journalists Won't Benefit from Sentence Reduction Law

Click to read the article in Turkish

There are 47 journalists behind bars due to "terrorism-related" charges, according to a monthly report by the Press in Arrest group, which has been monitoring trials of journalists for nearly two years.

Those journalists will not be able to benefit from the new regulation on sentence reductions that was begun to be discussed in the general assembly of the parliament today (April 7) as the draft bill excludes "terror crimes." Aimed at reducing the prison population because of the coronavirus pandemic, the bill was prepared by MPs from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

The report also notes that at least 13 journalists were either detained or summoned to give a statement over their news reports or social media posts on the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Imprisoned for political reasons, about 100 journalists in prison are now seeing their rights to live violated. Journalists are kept in prisons, which constitute the weakest link amidst the coronavirus outbreak since the necessary measures cannot be properly implemented there," says the report.

According to Press In Arrest's database, at least 223 journalists currently stand trial or have stood trial in the past 2 years pursuant to the Anti-Terror Law (TMK):

• 130 journalists are being or have been tried as per Article 5, "extending prison sentences by one half in terror-related offenses".
• 102 journalists are being or have been tried as per Article 7/2, "spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization."
• 16 journalists are being or have been tried as per Article 6/1, "targeting officers who play a role in anti-terrorism efforts".
• 12 journalists are being or have been tried as per Article 6/2, "publishing and disseminating the publications of a terror organization".
• (In a single case, a journalist may stand trial on charges based on multiple articles. - 31.03.2020)
• As of March 31st, there are at least 47 journalists in prison pending trial pursuant to the Anti-Terror Law. (AS/VK)