Journalist Recovered and Arrested Again

Benli, who was the former owner and editor-in-chief of the "Hedef" (target) magazine, was diagnosed with the "Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome" after participating in a death fast.

Benli, who had been released based on law no: 399 on January 17, 2003, was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison for "membership in an organization." He was sent back to prison to finish off his time.

His brother Riza Benli, who spoke to Bianet said four police officers in civilian clothes came to his office and detained Mustafa Benli, saying he would be questioned at the prosecutor's office.

Then, Benli's family was informed he was sent to the Corum prison. Benli will stay in prison for another four years and nine months to serve the remaining of his sentence.

Journalist Benli is still undergoing treatment. He loses consciousness, his arms and legs become stiff and inflated.

Mustafa Benli had ended his death fast in April 9, 2001. He had begun to fast in October 2000 to protest the establishment of the maximum-security F-type prisons, and the prisoners' transfer to those prisons. He lost 20 kilograms during his fasting. Benli was taken to the medical school of Trakya University for his treatment.

The State Security Court in Ankara had sentenced Benli to 12 years and 6 months in prison on November 10, 1999.

Media cases dropped

Many media cases against journalist Benli had been suspended for three years after the Pardon Law that went into effect in December 2000. Because three years have passed after the law went into effect, these media cases against the journalist were dropped.

Benli's lawyer, Hasan Erdogan, applied to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on September 24, 2000. Benli is among journalists whom the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has appealed to be let free. (EO/BB/EA/NM)