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Turkish Cumhuriyet journalists trial adjourned | Turkish Cumhuriyet journalists trial adjourned |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The trial of two prominent Turkish journalists, charged with revealing state secrets, has been adjourned until 1 April. | The trial of two prominent Turkish journalists, charged with revealing state secrets, has been adjourned until 1 April. |
Can Dundar and Erdem Gul, from the newspaper Cumhuriyet, were arrested in November over a report alleging that the Turkish government had tried to ship arms to Islamists in Syria. | Can Dundar and Erdem Gul, from the newspaper Cumhuriyet, were arrested in November over a report alleging that the Turkish government had tried to ship arms to Islamists in Syria. |
They deny the charges but face possible life sentences if found guilty. | They deny the charges but face possible life sentences if found guilty. |
Their supporters say the case is a major test of press freedom in Turkey. | Their supporters say the case is a major test of press freedom in Turkey. |
The Turkish government has come under increasing international criticism over its treatment of journalists. | The Turkish government has come under increasing international criticism over its treatment of journalists. |
Earlier this month, Turkish police raided the offices of the country's biggest newspaper, Zaman, hours after a court ruling placed it under state control. | Earlier this month, Turkish police raided the offices of the country's biggest newspaper, Zaman, hours after a court ruling placed it under state control. |
'Chilling effect' | 'Chilling effect' |
Over 100 reporters and observers attended the opening session of the trial on Friday morning. | Over 100 reporters and observers attended the opening session of the trial on Friday morning. |
Prosecutors then asked the judge for a closed hearing, a request which the judge approved, after a brief adjournment. | Prosecutors then asked the judge for a closed hearing, a request which the judge approved, after a brief adjournment. |
A Human Rights Watch observer present in the court called the decision "a travesty of justice". | A Human Rights Watch observer present in the court called the decision "a travesty of justice". |
The adjournment came after more than a dozen opposition MPs refused to leave the courtroom. The judges filed a complaint against them for attempting to influence the trial. | |
Can Dundar, Cumhuriyet's editor-in-chief, and Erdem Gul, Ankara bureau chief, were arrested last November. | Can Dundar, Cumhuriyet's editor-in-chief, and Erdem Gul, Ankara bureau chief, were arrested last November. |
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan personally filed a criminal complaint against them. | President Recep Tayyip Erdogan personally filed a criminal complaint against them. |
They were held in pre-trial detention but were released in February after the Constitutional Court ruled their rights to liberty and free expression had been violated. | They were held in pre-trial detention but were released in February after the Constitutional Court ruled their rights to liberty and free expression had been violated. |
In a statement given just before the trial, Mr Dundar said the government was trying to intimidate Turkey's journalists. | In a statement given just before the trial, Mr Dundar said the government was trying to intimidate Turkey's journalists. |
"There is an effort to arrest an entire profession and the public - what foreigners call a 'chilling effect'," he said. | "There is an effort to arrest an entire profession and the public - what foreigners call a 'chilling effect'," he said. |
"What is trying to be created is a mechanism of self-censorship and an increasing empire of fear." | "What is trying to be created is a mechanism of self-censorship and an increasing empire of fear." |
Freedom of the press in Turkey | Freedom of the press in Turkey |
Press freedom 'a major concern' | Press freedom 'a major concern' |
Campaigners say the case is politically motivated and part of a growing crackdown on media critical of President Erdogan. | Campaigners say the case is politically motivated and part of a growing crackdown on media critical of President Erdogan. |
On Thursday, dozens of prominent writers published an open letter to Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, urging the government to drop the charges against the Cumhuriyet journalists. | On Thursday, dozens of prominent writers published an open letter to Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, urging the government to drop the charges against the Cumhuriyet journalists. |
"We believe that Can Dundar and Erdem Gul are facing life in prison simply for carrying out their legitimate work as journalists," they said. | "We believe that Can Dundar and Erdem Gul are facing life in prison simply for carrying out their legitimate work as journalists," they said. |
The letter also voiced concern over the "increasing climate of fear and censorship and the stifling of critical voices in Turkey". | The letter also voiced concern over the "increasing climate of fear and censorship and the stifling of critical voices in Turkey". |
Zaman newspaper is closely linked to the Hizmet movement of influential US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen. | Zaman newspaper is closely linked to the Hizmet movement of influential US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen. |
The government says Hizmet is a "terrorist" group aiming to overthrow President Erdogan. | The government says Hizmet is a "terrorist" group aiming to overthrow President Erdogan. |
Mr Gulen was once an ally of Mr Erdogan but is now seen by the Turkish President as a threat to his authority. | Mr Gulen was once an ally of Mr Erdogan but is now seen by the Turkish President as a threat to his authority. |
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