Journalist Melike Aydın acquitted of 'terrorism' charges

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Jinnews reporter Melike Aydın has been acquitted of "being a member of a terrorist organization" due to insufficient evidence.

The evidence put forward against the journalist included her phone conversations with news sources and a book entitled "The Purple Color of the Kurdish Politics," which was seized by police at her home.

The third hearing of the case was held at the İzmir 2nd Heavy Penal Court today (June 8). Aydın and her attorneys attended the hearing.

Two anonymous witnesses codenamed "Karayel" and "Şimal" stated that they didn't know Aydın.

The prosecutor requested Aydın's acquittal because the phone conversations and the material seized at her home could not be considered sufficient evidence for membership of an illegal organization.

The court acquitted the journalist.

What happened?

Melike Aydın was detained on November 12, 2019, during a police raid on her home in İzmir province. After her detention, she had not been allowed to meet her attorneys for 24 hours because the investigation file was "restricted."

She was referred to the prosecutor's office on November 15, 2019. After her deposition, she was charged with "acting on behalf of a terrorist organization" and referred to the court.

She was sent to İzmir Aliağa Şakran Closed Prison after the İzmit 1st Penal Court of Peace ordered her arrest.

The indictment against him was completed more than two months later, on January 27, 2020. Prosecutors sought a prison sentence of 7 years and 6 months to 15 years for Aydın.

She was released on probation on January 30, 2020, after the completion of the indictment. (HA/VK)