26 February 2016

Turkish journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül have been released following a verdict by the Constitutional Court

Originally published by Bianet English

Release has been ruled for Cumhuriyet daily Chief Editor Can Dündar and its Ankara Representative Erdem Gül, who have been arrested for their reports on Turkish National Intelligence Agency (MİT) trucks . The decision has come after 92 days of the arrest. The court has imposed international travel ban on the two journalists.

What had happened?

Prosecution started following the release of the article published with the headline “Here are the weapons Erdoğan claim to not exist” on May 29. Charges against the two journalists included "Procuring information as to state security", "Political and military espionage", "Declaring confidential information" and "Propagandizing terrorist organization".  

Chief Public Prosecutor Hadi Salihoğlu had declared the prosecution by press release.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had personally filed a criminal complaint and requested Dündar to be sentenced to one aggravated life imprisonment, one life imprisonment and 42 years in prison for "targeting state interests by using images contrary to facts". 

Erdoğan on a live broadcast on public channel TRT had said, "I guess the person who made this special news will heavily pay for it".

Dündar and Gül have been imprisoned as of November 26. The release took place after the Constitutional Court ruled that imprisonment of Gül and Dündar was violation of rights by 12 votes against three. 

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