OSCE requests information from Turkey about 24 journalists

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The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has requested information regarding the investigations carried out in Turkey and the judicial process against some journalists in Turkey.

Among these journalists are also the ones who were arrested for 6 months for covering an incident where two citizens were thrown from a helicopter by the soldiers after being detained in eastern Van province.

In her letter sent to the Ministry of Justice of Turkey by Teresa Riberio, who is the Media Freedom Representative of the OSCE, has requested information about the situation of 24 journalists.

As reported by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), the names of the journalists and the information requested from Turkey by the OSCE are as follows:

"Providing information on the investigation carried out against Mehmet Aslan (Mezopotamya News Agency) (for example and especially; if there is an arrest report, judicial report, statement report, interrogation report, decisions regarding the continuation of detention and release, objections to decisions and decisions made on objection) If there is no confidentiality order in the file, a copy of the information and documents that are important within the scope of the allegations in question should be requested from the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

"Reasons for the prison sentence given by the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court to Zana Kaya and Eren Keskin (Özgür Gündem newspaper editor-in-chief), Kemal Sancılı (Özgür Gündem grant holder) and İnan Kızılkaya (Özgür Gündem editor) requesting a copy of the decision, if the decision has not yet been written, a copy of the final hearing minutes.

"The investigation conducted against Melis Alphan (journalist) (for example and especially; the arrest report, forensic reports, statement report, interrogation report, decisions regarding the continuation of the detention, the decisions regarding the release, the objections made and the decisions regarding these objections, the indictment and the hearing minutes) and the outcome of the prosecution by giving information, if there is no confidentiality decision in the file, requesting a copy of the information and documents that are important within the scope of the allegation.

"Whether Kazım Kızıl, Erdinç Yılmaz (journalists), Murat Erkmen (camera operator), Elif Akgül, Fatoş Erdoğan, Murat Bay, Nagihan Yılkın (reporters) and Ozan Acıdere (photojournalist) were subject to an investigation into the alleged violence by law enforcement officers and requesting a copy of 'confidential' and 'service-specific' information and documents regarding the detention of Ozan Acıdere.

"To request the minutes of the hearing regarding the hearing dated March 26, 2021, at the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court regarding the murder of Hrant Dink (journalist).

"Requesting a copy of the reasoned decision regarding the imprisonment given by the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court against Can Dündar (former editor-in-chief of the Cumhuriyet newspaper) and, if the decision has not yet been written, a copy of the last hearing minutes from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

"Regarding the arrests of Adnan Bilen, Cemil Uğur (journalists from Mezopotamya News Agency), Şehriban Abi, Nazan Sala (journalists of the Jin News Agency), the decision of the continuation of the detention, the objections to these decisions and the decisions on the appeal, and if any to request information and documents that are not 'confidential' and 'specific to service' from the Van Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

"To request from the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for 'confidential' and 'service-specific' information and documents, which are not registered, regarding the judicial process carried out regarding the allegation of the murder of Hazım Özsu (Radio programmer).

"To request from the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for 'confidential' and 'service-specific' information and documents regarding the judicial process carried out regarding the allegations of attack against Levent Gültekin (journalist).

"Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for a copy of the reasoned decision regarding the imprisonment given by the Ankara 26th Heavy Penal Court to Müyesser Yıldız (Oda TV Ankara news director) and İsmail Dükel (TELE 1 Ankara representative), and if the decision has not yet been written, the last minute of the hearing to be asked."

The OSCE has requested that the reply to its letter be given by April 20 at the latest. (HA/SD)