Austrian Journalist Bakutz Released

International media freedom organization Reporters Sans Frontieres urges the Turkish authorities go one step further and drop the charges she faces of "belonging to an illegal organization".

"This young Austrian journalist has wasted enough days in prison," RSF said, adding, "Her release should be definitive, as the authorities have failed to support the charges against her."

The 30 March hearing at the Ankara Court for Heavy Penalties began at 2:00p.m. (local time) in the presence of many Turkish and Austrian journalists and an RSF representative. Judge Orhan Karadeniz presided.

Although Prosecutor Salim Demirci produced no hard evidence, the court accepted his presentation of the charges, while rejecting his request for Bakutz to remain in custody. Speaking in German, Bakutz rejected the charges. She was represented by more than 20 lawyers.

A reporter for Austrian radio station Orange 94.0 and the German weekly "Junge Welt", Bakutz was arrested on her arrival at Istanbul's Atatürk airport on 10 February, on a charge of "belonging to an illegal organization". On 16 February, she was transferred to Istanbul's Pasakapisi detention centre, and then to Gebze prison, 50 km south of Istanbul. Finally, on 1 March, she was transferred to Ankara's Ulucanlar prison, where she remained until the 30 March hearing.

There will be no restrictions on Bakutz's movement while she awaits trial. She still faces the possibility of a 10 to 15-year prison sentence. (EK/YE)