Deniz Tekin
The trial of Mehmet Şahin, a columnist for Xwebûn newspaper, has been postponed once again to allow the prosecutor more time to prepare the main opinion in the case.
Şahin is being retried on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” based on his attendance at press conferences and public meetings, his contact with news sources, and the television programs he produced. The fourth hearing in the case was held at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court in southeastern Turkey.
Journalists were present to observe the hearing, in which Şahin and his attorney Resul Temur participated. The prosecutor requested that the physical case file be sent to his office so he could examine it thoroughly and prepare the prosecution’s final opinion.
Şahin stated that he had nothing further to add at this stage of the proceedings.
Defense attorney Temur asked the court to lift the travel ban imposed on his client, arguing that the restriction had exceeded a reasonable duration. However, the court rejected the request and ruled to resend the case file to the prosecution to allow time for the preparation of the main opinion.
The next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13.
