Journalist Seda Taşkın Released from Prison: ‘I am Back to My News’

Journalist Seda Taşkın, who was behind bars for almost a year, has been released from prison. Speaking to bianet, Taşkın has said, “I feel a bittersweet happiness and this bittersweet feeling will continue until all imprisoned journalists in Turkey are released.”

Evrim Kepenek

Journalist Seda Taşkın Released from Prison: ‘I am Back to My News’

Click to read the article in Turkish

Mezopotamya Agency reporter Seda Taşkın, who was arrested on January 22, 2017, was released from Sincan Closed Prison in Ankara upon the interlocutory scheduling order of the court of appeal yesterday (January 17).

The Muş 2nd Heavy Penal Court previously alleged that Seda Taşkın "aided the terrorist organization by coming to the province of Muş and its vicinity and by making news that could motivate and give moral support to the members of the organization."

"Journalists are in prison on unlawful grounds"

Speaking to bianet about her release, Taşkın has stated that "she feels a bittersweet happiness and this bittersweet feeling will continue until all imprisoned journalists in Turkey are released." Taşkın has also said,

"I have witnessed the stories of dozens of people in prison. I have met many people who have been behind bars on unlawful grounds.

"Our colleagues are also behind bars on unlawful grounds. I am of the opinion that these arrests are political. I hope that all arrested journalists will be released as soon as possible."

"I will continue giving moral support"

Stating that she will continue doing journalism, Taşkın has added,

"The verdicts of arrest given for journalists cause them to be away from their professions only physically. When I was in prison, I was constantly thinking of news, of my friends. Now, I am happy that I will be back to my news. The reason for my arrest was that 'I was giving moral support with my news.' I only reported news, I will continue reporting and giving moral support."

CLICK - No Freedom in Sight for News, No End to Court-Prison for Journalists

What happened?

Detained on December 20, 2017 in Muş and released on probation, Mezopotamya Agency reporter Seda Taşkın was arrested in Ankara again on January 22, 2018.

Speaking to bianet, Taşkın's lawyer Ebru Akkal said that the arrest decision was made by Bitlis Criminal Judgeship of Peace, which heard the case upon Prosecutor's Office's objection to the initial verdict. Following her deposition, Taşkın was arrested on charge of "being a member of an illegal organization".

On October 10, 2018, The court board of the Muş 2nd Heavy Penal Court ruled that Taşkın shall be sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in prison on charge of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" and 4 years and 2 months in prison on charge of "aiding and abetting a terrorist organization as a non-member". Taşkın has been sentenced to a total of 7 years and 6 months in prison.

(EMK/SD)

Evrim Kepenek

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