VAN - The second hearing of the lawsuit filed against 5 journalists who broke the story about two villagers thrown from a Turkish military helicopter in Van was postponed to October 21.

 

The second hearing of Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporters Adnan Bilen and Cemil Uğur, Jinnews reporter Şehriban Abi and journalist Nazan Sala who were arrested on October 9, 2020 and released on April 2, after reporting that two citizens were tortured and thrown out of a Turkish military helicopter in Van was held today at Van 5th High Criminal Court.

 

BİLEN: WE ARE READY TO PAY THE PRICE OF EXPOSING THE TRUTH

 

Journalist Bilen took the floor first at the trial of the temporary court committee. Bilen pointed out that more than 50 journalists have stood trial in Turkey only in the last 5 days, and noted that those who reveal the truth are punished. “If there is a price to be paid to reveal the truth, we will pay it" Bilen said.

 

EXAMPLARY JOURNALISM

 

Journalist Cemiş Uğur who underlined that they are not writing fiction, added that exposing the torture of the villagers was examplary journalism, based on hospital reports and witness statements.

 

DEFENCE OF THE LAWYERS

 

Underlining that the news about the two villagers is for the public interest and that the prosecutor and the judge knew about it as a result of that article, Attorney Ekin Yeter said there is not one single criminal element in the file and that these journalists are under serious threat. Pointing out that this law suit against the journalist is a violation of the right to recieve news, Yeter underlined that under no circumstances the news on Mesopotamia Agency and Jinnews could be considered a criminal element.

 

HEARING WAS POSTPONED

 

The hearing was postponed to October 21 to further investigate the file.