Journalist Ziya Ataman Sentenced to 14 Years, 3 Months in Prison

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Ziya Ataman, a reporter for the Dicle News Agency (DİHA) closed by a Statutory Decree, has been sentenced to 14 years, 3 months in prison.

The final hearing of 21 people, ten of whom have been arrested pending trial, was held at the Şırnak 1st Heavy Penal Court today (September 24).

The arrested defendants were not taken to the court hall and their testimonies were taken via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS). The attorneys of defendants were present at court.

While he was in prison, Ataman had a series of serious health problems, his existing gastrointestinal disorders have deteriorated. Despite the medical reports of prison doctor, Ataman has not been operated.

CLICK - Journalist Ataman Under Arrest for 1,185 Days

He made his defense in Kurdish

Arrested in Van High Security Closed Prison, journalist and seriously ill inmate Ziya Ataman made his defense in Kurdish. In his hearing on July 4, he expressed his request to present his statement of defense in Kurdish. Accordingly, a certified interpreter was present at court.

Repeating his previous defense, Ataman underlined that the statements against him were made under torture, reminding the court board and the audience that they withdrew their statements afterwards.

Ataman said that he was innocent. Underlining that his long period of arrest caused several illnesses, Ataman requested his acquittal and release.

'Copy-past opinion as to the accusations'

Representing Ataman at court, Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) lawyers indicated that the opinion as to the accusations presented by the prosecutor was prepared in a "copy-paste" manner.

Ataman sentenced to 14 years, 3 months in prison

Announcing its judgement after the break, the court board has ruled that Ziya Ataman shall be sentenced to 14 years, 3 months in prison on charge of "membership of a terrorist organization".

As an appeal can be lodged against the verdict, his lawyers have stated that they will appeal against the prison sentence.

Doğan: He has been targeted once again

Speaking to bianet after the hearing, lawyer Zelal Doğan from the MLSA has reminded us that the Association has been advocating Ataman for a long time and stated the following:

"Ziya Ataman has been threatened, targeted and attacked for several times before due to his journalistic activities. Before he was arrested, he was doing journalism in Van, where he went to continue performing his profession in the face of these threats.

"We think that Ziya Ataman has been targeted once again. It has been over three years since the lawsuit was filed and Ziya Ataman was arrested. And, today, as a result of a trial based on evidence collected in an unlawful manner, several of his basic rights, especially his freedom of expression, have been violated by his conviction."

About Ziya Ataman

Ziya Ataman, who was an intern correspondent at the Dicle News Agency (DİHA), was taken into custody in Turkey's eastern province of Van. Ataman, who was detained during news follow-up in Kurubaş Neighborhood in the district of Edremit in Van, was arrested on April 11, 2016.

He had eight hearings in the 1,185 days he spent behind bars. The Constitutional Court rejected his application. The judges and prosecutors who tried him were discharged in an investigation against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ, held responsible for the 2016 coup attempt).

The upper limit for his arrest, which is two years as it is a case examined by a heavy penal court, has long been exceeded. But he is still behind bars at the Van High-Security Closed Prison. He is waiting for his next case which will be held at the Şırnak 1sy Heavy Penal Court on September 24.

Barış Oflas, the attorney of Ataman, told bianet the following:

"Ziya has been struggling with intestine diseases for many years. When he was outside, the disease was under control and he was being treated. After the entered prison, the disease began to grow under stress and prison conditions. He faces problems about going to the infirmary and the hospital."

"After our efforts, Ziya was sent to the hospital. He was prescribed drugs but was not sent to hospital again although he needs to receive treatment regularly. His disease has progressed. He needs continuous treatment." (HA/SD)