Dayanç Işık, İstanbul – 27 Etkin News Agency (ETHA) journalists facing terrorism charges appeared at İstanbul 29th High Criminal Court, with a few winning small reprieves. The ban on overseas travel which journalists Suat Çorlu and Mukaddes Erdoğdu Çelik were subject to was lifted.
Editor and translator Meşale Tolu, wife of Suat Çorlu, testified that “I was arrested in April 2017 with my child and we remained in prison for 8 months. Afterward, I was banned to leave the country for 8 months due to a court order, which was then lifted. I promised that I would follow the hearings in Turkey, and here I am. However, my husband is still banned to leave the country and my child is growing up without his father. I request the lifting of my husband’s travel ban.”
The moving account swayed the court, and won her husband’s release. After the hearing Meşale Tolu answered the questions of reporters and explained that “We were subjected to an unlawful proceeding for almost 2 years. I was in detention for 8 months, due to an alleged ‘escape risk’. Then I was banned to leave the country on the same grounds. By coming here today and stating I’ll keep coming to the hearings, I am trying to show that there was never an escape risk, nor there will be in the future. This decision was a long-awaited one, now at least my son will be reunited with his father and we will be together as a family."
Other defendants were less lucky. Ali Aykul submitted a statement of defense at the hearing. He conceded that he had attended the demonstrations which the prosecution alleged had terrorist links, however contended that these were all legal press statements and rejected the terrorist propaganda offense that he has been charged with.
The hearing, which was observed by German Green Party MP Margit Stumpp and German Consul Michael Reiffenstuel, was adjourned until December 10.
Updated: November 29 2018
