Journalist Wants his Camera Back

A Turkish court continued to try Ubeydullah Hakan, a reporter for the Dicle News Agency (DIHA). Hakan's camera was seized as he was covering a protest by the relatives and friends of Cetin Karaman, allegedly killed by soldiers. Hakan was later charged for being a "runaway activist."

An expert report from the paramilitary police was presented to the court during the haring Friday. The report made clear that the reporter was taking photographs at the protest, but he had no camera with him as he was being pushed into a police car.

Lawyer Murat Timur, who is representing Hakan, told bianet that the images, recorded by local television channels and studied by experts, disprove police statements that "Hakan had no camera with him."

The court, which is awaiting a ballistic report from the paramilitary police commandership Van criminal laboratory about a weapon, postponed the trial to May 28.

"We will go to ECHR if we do not get a positive outcome here," lawyer Timur said.

He added that Hakan was expecting that his camera be returned and that there is legal action against the police officers that roughed him up. (EO/BB/EA/YE)