Verdict of Release for Journalist Mehmet Altan

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İstanbul Regional Court of Justice 2nd Chamber of Penalty has examined appeals concerning sentence of aggravated lifetime imprisonment issued for six defendants including Mehmet Altan, Ahmet Altan and Nazlı Ilıcak, who are tried on the allegation that they were informed of July 15 coup attempt beforehand.

In its proceedings, the Chamber of Penalty stressed that Constitutional Court ruled upon defendant’s appeal that Mehmet Altan’s individual freedom and safety were violated.

In the proceedings where it was emphasized that this decision is final, it was stressed that Constitutional Court’s decisions bind execution, legislation and judicial organs, administrative authorities, real and legal persons.

It was stated in the proceedings that defendant Mehmet Altan pending trial in jail was ordered to be released.

Arrest of Ahmet Altan and Ilıcak continues

While Altan was released on probation with an international travel ban, the court ruled continuation of arrest of other defendants Ahmet Altan, Nazlı Ilıcak, Fevzi Yazıcı, Yakup Şimşek and Şükrü Tuğrul Özşengü.

The hearing will be held on September 21.

Acquittal of Sanlıman was upheld

On the other hand, the chamber of penalty upheld the verdict of acquittal of defendant Tibet Murad Sanlıman, who was charged with “knowingly or willingly aiding an armed terrorist organization”.

What happened?

In the wake of July 15 coup attempt, a large number of journalists have been detained and some of them arrested as part of the operation launched concerning media organization of “Fethullahist Terrorist Organization/Parallel State Organization”.

Concerning Ahmet Altan, some news items published during the period when he served as Editor-in-Chief at Taraf newspaper, three columns, comments he made on a TV program he joined on July 14 and witness statements were cited as evidence. For Ahmet Altan, two columns, a TV program he joined with Ahmet Altan and Nazlı Ilıcak on July 14 and witness statements were cited as evidence.

The case qualifies to be the first case in which journalists are accused of “participating in” the July 15 coup attempt. (PT/TK)