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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 MPs refused to leave the courtroom. A complaint was filed against them. 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 TurkeyFreedom 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.