Turkey to pay damages for censorship in Silivri Prison

* Photo: Ayça Söylemez - Silivri Prison

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The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has concluded the application of lawyer Ramazan Demir regarding the failure to accept his requests during the five-month period when he was arrested.

Examining his application, the ECtHR has concluded that Demir's freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) has been violated. The lawyer will be paid 1,500 Euro in non-pecuniary damages and 2,000 Euro for court expenses.

'Not necessary in a democratic society'

Ramazan Demir was arrested for "membership of a terrorist organization" and "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" on April 6, 2016.

He was released five months later on September 7, 2016.

When he was arrested in Silivri Prison, he requested access to the websites of the ECtHR, Constitutional Court and Official Gazette so that he could prepare his clients' defense statements and his own defense.

However, both his request and his objections were rejected.

With his requests and objections rejected, lawyer Demir applied to the ECtHR. The court pronounced its judgement today (February 9) and concluded that freedom of expression of Demir was violated.

The court has also indicated that the right to access certain websites is guaranteed by the laws within the frame of education and rehabilitation and noted that the websites that Demir wanted to access fell within this scope.

The ECtHR has concluded that "the interference in question was not necessary in a democratic society." (AS/SD)