İSTANBUL -Six journalists appeared before court today after months of pre-trial detention in the case over the reports on a MİT officer’s death in Libya.

 

The trial of six journalists from three different outlets over a news report on the funeral of a National Intelligence Organization (MİT) officer who was killed in Libya started today (June 24) at İstanbul 34th Heavy Penal Court.

 

Odatv news site's editor-in-chief Barış Pehlivan, news manager Barış Terkoğlu and reporter Hülya Kılınç, Yeni Yaşam newspaper's editor-in-chief Ferhat Çelik and managing editor Aydın Keser and Yeniçağ newspaper columnist Murat Ağırel were at the courtroom after pre-trial detention for more than three months.

 

After President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in late February that "We have a few martyrs in Libya," photos allegedly showing funerals of the deceased personnel emerged on social media. The journalists have been arrested and charged with espionage after reporting on the photos.

 

Journalist Erk Acarer, who is currently abroad, and E.E., a media official at the main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) Akhisar District Municipality in Manisa province, where the funeral took place, are also among the defendants.

 

Due to coronavirus measures, only six people among the relatives of the defendants were let in the courtroom while many others, including journalists, were left outside.

 

After the journalists' defense statements, their attorneys requested their release while the prosecutor demanded the continuation of arrests.

 

The court ordered the release of Terkoğlu, Çelik and Keser on the condition of judicial control while the others will continue to stay behind bars.

 

The next hearing will be held on September 9.