Case heard in the trial about Dutch journalist Ans Boersma’s deportation
Istanbul - The stay of execution request concerning Dutch journalist Ans Boersma’s deportation was reviewed before the Istanbul First Administrative Court today. Boersma, whom MLSA represents in court, was unlawfully deported from Turkey without proper explanation on 17 January 2019, almost a week after she received her official press card. MLSA lawyers have filed an objection to this order and presented a defense against the deportation before the court today.
Boersma’s lawyer Veysel Ok noted that this case was not just an immigration matter or a case about a deportation, emphasizing that this was a case about freedom of speech and press. Ok reminded the court of the document provided by the Ministry of Interior Affair’s Anti-Terror Directorate, which explicitly states that Boersma is not part of any ongoing terrorism investigation in Turkey. After hearing Ok’s defense today, the court is expected to announce a judgement in 1 to 3 months.
The document from the Anti-Terror Directorate, explaining that they could not find any investigation that Boersma was a part of.