Since March, time online has documented cases of detained journalists in Turkey and – if possible – since when and for what reasons accused journalists are detained (see list at end of article). Currently we know of 152 cases. Most are accused of membership or support for a terrorist organisation.

On 11 October, journalist Meşale Tolu, who was born in Ulm, had expressed herself for first time in court on terrorist allegations raised against her: "I demand my release and my acquittal," said Tolu at trial in Silivri near Istanbul. Tolu said that y did not commit any of aforementioned offences and did not have any connection with illegal organisations. The 32-year-old belongs to 18 defendants accused of terrorist propaganda and membership in extreme left MLKP. According to ir lawyer, Germans threaten to Tonc up to 20 years in custody.

Tolu was arrested on April 30th. Anti-terrorist policemen had stormed ir apartment in Istanbul. "The Police Special unit not only directed gun at my son, but also forcibly arrested me before eyes of my child," said Tolu in court, who has been in prison since n with her two-year-old son.

Her husband Suat Corlu also sat in Turkish detention. He was released in Istanbul on November 28th.

The federal government is calling for release of Tolus and or Germans who are currently detained in Turkey for political reasons. This includes world correspondent Deniz Yücel.

Who, when, why – Time online documents

The placement of EU candidate country on list of freedom of press of Reporters Without Borders has deteriorated considerably since failed coup attempt last summer: it fell from place 151 to place 155 – with a total of 180 listed states.

This is also due to lawsuit against 17 Cumhuriyet journalists in Istanbul. For 267 days, Turkish media representatives sat in prison before y had opportunity to comment on accusations for first time in court. They also say: support for terrorism. The defendants declared mselves innocent. Seven of m were released on July 28th. After eleven months in prison, Cumhuriyet columnist Kadri Gürsel was released on 26 September. However, accusation against him for connections with terrorist groups remained.

Allegations vaguely worded

Many cases of detained journalists, on or hand, hardly arouse a stir, such as fate of two French journalists: shortly after arrest of Meşale Tolu, policemen arrested photographer Mathias Depardonn in souast of Turkey. His cameras were confiscated, Depardon brought into a camp for refugees. The photographer went on a hunger strike on May 19 and released on June 9th.

His colleague Loup Bureau was arrested on 26 July in Turkish border area, and since n France's president Emmanuel Macron has sat down for his release. With success: Bureau was brought back to France on September 15th.

There is no specific charge against many of detained journalists, accusations are often vaguely formulated. For ors, one can only assume that arrest is related to ir journalistic work. For President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in any case, a journalist is already in common with terrorists when he interviews m.

A pre-trial detention in Turkey may take up to five years because of current state of emergency.

Date Of Update: 30 November 2017, 12:03