Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Journalists on trial after 13 months of detention

Ayça Söylemez, Bianet; Monday, January 16, 2012.

Six employees of the Yürüyüş magazine will appear at court for the first time on 20 January after 13 months of detention. Entrance to their offices was forced in a raid in December 2010 when also helicopter had been used.

The six journalists were taken into police custody on 24 December 2010 in the course of a raid on the office of the magazine. The office door was broken and about 2,000 books were seized during the crackdown.

The raid started at 4.00 am in the morning and was supported by helicopters. The office was demolished, interior doors and furniture was broken.

The compensation file regarding the material damage was dismissed reasoning that there was "no grounds for legal action". According to the decision signed by Şişli (Istanbul) Public Prosecutor Sait Kunt, the office's door was broken "in order to prevent the destruction of material evidence".

To read the whole report, visit Bianet.