Journalists Sadiye Eser and Sadık Topaloğlu Arrested

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Taken into custody shortly after they left the Mezopotamya Agency (MA) office in Beyoğlu, İstanbul on November 29, journalists Sadiye Eser and Sadık Topaloğlu have been arrested.

After deposing at the police department, they were referred to the İstanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan yesterday (December 3). As reported by the MA, the prosecutor's office at the courthouse referred the journalists to the İstanbul 3rd Penal Judgeship of Peace without taking their depositions.

Rejecting the offenses charged against him at the judgeship, Sadık Topaloğlu reiterated the statement that he made at the police department. Indicating that he was doing journalism, Topaloğlu requested his release.

Making her defense after Topaloğlu, Sadiye Eser stated that they were known as journalists by the public and added that wherever she went, she went there for journalistic activities. She also rejected the charges filed against her and requested her release.

Kılıç: There is no concrete evidence

Attorney Özcan Kılıç also stated the following at the judgeship:

"I agree with the defenses of my clients, there is no suspicion indicating that they will escape. The allegations whose accuracy is not certain and the statements of an anonymous witness who has benefited from effective remorse are not concrete evidence that would suffice for arrest. I request that Eser and Topaloğlu be released on probation."

Reasons for arrest: Court cases, overseas trips

After the defendants and the attorney presented their statements of defense, the İstanbul 3rd Penal Court of Peace has ruled that Eser and Topaloğlu shall be arrested on charge of "being members of a terrorist organization."

Their journeys abroad and previous court hearings have been cited as the reason for their arrest. While Eser has been sent to Bakırköy Women's Closed Prison, Topaloğlu has been sent to Metris Prison. Topaloğlu will reportedly be referred to Silivri Prison later.

CLICK - Three-Month Agenda of the Media: Trials, Prisons and Government-Backed Threats

CLICK - BIA Media Monitoring Reports

(EKN/SD)