ETHA Translator Tolu not Released

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First trial of Etkin News Agency (ETHA) translator Meşale Tolu was held at İstanbul 29th Heavy Penal Court in Silivri.

German citizen Tolu said, “I reject the accusations against me. I have been targeted by police for working as translator at ETHA”.

The court delegation ruled the continuation of arrest of six people including Meşale Tolu, and release of eight others.

The next hearing is on December 18, 2017.

According to the indictment, Meşale Tolu is being charged with “being a member of an armed terror organization” and “propagandizing for a terror organization”.

18 detainees along with Tolu are being tried over “being a member of the Marxist Leninist Communist Party or propagandizing for it”.

Speaking to Bild newspaper ahead of the trial, German Minister of Foreign Affairs Sigmar Gabriel said, “We demand that a trial in conformity with principles of rule of law be held. The trial must be swiftly concluded and Meşale Tolu must be released as soon as possible so she can return to Turkey”.

What happened?

German citizen Meşale Tolu was taken into custody in a house raid conducted on April 30, 2017.

Referred to court on May 5, Tolu was arrested by İstanbul 9th Criminal Judgeship of Peace on charge of “being a member of an illegal organization”. She is in Bakırköy Women’s Prison.

Tolu’s husband Suat Çorlu is detained on remand as well. The couple who have a child aged 3 are in prison with them by turns. (AS/TK)