Imprisoned DIHA Reporter Not Released
Demirkaya was arrested on June 14 on charges of "aiding and abetting an outlawed organization" after Engin Korumcu, an alleged member of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) surrendered to security forces and as part of his confessions accused the reporter of having met with the organization's rural leaders and passed them information and other material.
Wednesday's decision by the Malatya 3rd High Criminal Court to continue the reporters imprisonment comes after two previous appeals, made in June to the Tunceli Criminal Court of Peace and the Tunceli Court of First Instance failed and his case was transferred to Malatya.
All defendants including those remanded in custody as well as Korumcu himself attended this week's hearing.
Defense attorneys argued at the hearing that Korumcu's statements contradicted each other repeating their previous requests for the release of suspects held in prison based on his remarks.
Demirkaya himself faces 5 to 10 years imprisonment if found guilty on the charges.
The court, turning down these requests, decided on all suspects already in prison to continue being remanded and adjourned the trial to November 15.
Before this charge and arrest, Demirkaya was previously detained together with three other journalists and five activists while covering the human rights delegation that on August 4, 2005, received kidnapped private Coskun Kirandi from the PKK.
The group was put on trial in what later came to be known as the "Kirandi case" charged with "conducting the propaganda of the organization and its goals".
Demirkaya was also placed under custody on the evening of May 4, 2005, for reporting on a criminal complaint against Tunceli's Provincial Gendarme Regiment Commander Namik Dursun who was allegedly involved in swindling activities. He was released after being questioned then. (EO/II/YE/EU)