Journalists Outside: May Today Be the Beginning of a New Period

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Rallying in front of the courthouse ahead of fourth hearing of Cumhuriyet trial and fifth hearing of Özgür Gündem trial, the Journalists Outside initiative saying “Both the journalists inside and outside will neither remain silent nor submit” has demanded release of their colleagues.

“Despite the indictments written in bad Turkish including inconsistent sentences or pro-government media’s efforts to generate black propaganda, the ‘terrorist’ label attempted to be stamped on our friends hasn’t held.

“What good has using jurisdiction as a means to force people to submit, intimidating the whole society, and keeping some of us behind bars to choke truth done?

“May today be the beginning of a brand new period. Stop trying to choke the truth. Our people need light, not darkness. Return freedom that you’ve seized to our friends. Get your hands off our throats immediately, return our breath…”

Fourth hearing of the Cumhuriyet trial in which 20 defendants five of whom are in detention on remand will be held at İstanbul 27th Heavy Penal Court in İstanbul today.

Özgür Gündem main trial in which 10 defendants two of whom are in detention on remand will be held at İstanbul 23rd Heavy Penal Court today. (EA/TK)