Arrest of Journalist Kibriye Evren to Continue

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Detained and arrested together with 142 other people including journalists and politicians on October 9, 2018 as part of an investigation launched by Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, journalist Kibriye Evren, a reporter for the JinNews website, had her seventh hearing at the Diyarbakır 5th Heavy Penal Court today (September 24).

Charged with "membership of a terrorist organization" and "propagandizing for a terrorist organization", Evren faces up to 20 years in prison.

Arrested pending trial for the past 11 months, Evren's hearing was attended by Free Journalists Initiative (ÖGİ) Spokesperson Hakkı Boltan as well as representatives from the Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) and Mezopotamia Women Journalists Platform.

Indicating that she is doing journalism in her statement today, Evren said, "Freedom of expression means that the right of information and democracy operate. Whatever I did wherever I went was journalistic activities. Press is being shackled. If our right to make news is prevented, Turkey will get hurt".

Result of ongoing investigations will be asked

The court has ruled that the results of ongoing investigations against Evren in Urfa and Mersin shall be asked and a copy of the indictment filed against her, if any, shall be requested from the Ankara 26th Heavy Penal Court.

Ruling that the arrest of journalist Kibriye Evren shall continue, the court board has adjourned the hearing to November 12. It was expected that the court would announce its ruling on Evren in today's hearing. (HA/SD)