Fourth hearing of the trial where reporter and photojournalist Çağdaş Erdoğan faces “membership in a terrorist organization” and “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charges was held at İstanbul 33rd High Criminal Court today. Çağdaş Erdoğan and his lawyer Figen Çalıkuşu were present in the courtroom.
The presiding judge asked Erdoğan and his lawyer whether they have any statements to present. Lawyer Çalıkuşu noted that her client cannot get a passport despite the international travel ban being revoked. The judge noted that any problem that he’s facing is not caused by the court and said, “No judicial control measure is in effect on behalf of Çağdaş Erdoğan.”
The court gave the defense additional time to examine the expert report that has been received and prepare a statement in response to the report and adjourned the trial until 7 May, 1:30 PM.
What happened?
Çağdaş Erdoğan was taken into custody with the claim that he took a photo of a social facility in Kadıköy, İstanbul, which was allegedly used by the National Intelligence Organization (MİT). Erdoğan had denied the existence of such a building, saying that it must be an invisible one. Erdoğan was arrested on 2 September 2017 and released following the first hearing of the trial, on 13 February 2018.
