ANKARA - Journalists and audiences were not allowed to attend the hearing of the trial in which journalist Ceylan Şahinli is on trial for "making propaganda for a terrorist organization".

 

The second hearing of the lawsuit filed against Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporter Ceylan Şahinli, who has been imprisoned for her journalism activities, on charges of "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" on the grounds of the actions and activities she participated in in 2017 was held. While Şahinli attended the hearing at the Ankara 20th High Criminal Court, her lawyer, Resul Temur, was connected to the Diyarbakır Courthouse via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS).

The Human Rights Association (İHD) Central Prisons Commission Co-Spokesperson Nuray Çevirmen and journalist Hüseyin Aykol and reporters, who came to watch the hearing and follow the news, were not allowed in on the grounds that there was no room in the hall.

 

Attorney Resul Temur, who spoke at the hearing, stated that they did not accept the accusation against his client and that all the actions taken were legal. Temur demanded acquittal by stating that the social media posts subject to the indictment do not belong to Şahinli.

 

Şahinli, on the other hand, demanded his acquittal, saying that the indictment had a different meaning after she was arrested for the actions, activities and posts of 2017.

 

Announcing its interim decision after the defense, the court board adjourned the case until June 12, requesting that a copy of the indictment of the case in which Şahinli was tried in pre-trial detention be submitted to the court and that the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office be asked if there is a different investigation against her.