News / Turkey

Turkey court resumes trial of two reporters charged with espionage

Friday, 01 April 2016 1:13 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 01 April 2016 1:13 PM ]

Can Dundar, the editor-in-chief of Cumhuriyet daily, arrives at the Justice Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, April 1, 2016. (Reuters photo)

A Turkish court has resumed the trial of two prominent journalists charged with espionage activities over revealing Turkey’s support to the Takfiri militants in Syria.

Can Dundar, the editor-in-chief at Cumhuriyet newspaper and its Ankara representative, Erdem Gul, face charges of espionage, treason and revealing state secrets for publishing video footage purportedly showing trucks belonging to Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) ferrying weapons in January 2014 to Takfiri terror groups operating in Syria.

As Dundar arrived at the Istanbul criminal court on Friday, he expressed optimism that the duo would be acquitted.

"We will win. We have always won throughout history. We think the laws will show we are right and we will be acquitted," Dundar told reporters.

Gul also said, "It's journalism that is on trial here. This trial should not be taking place."

The journalists were arrested in late November last year for publishing the video footage in May. The daily said the trucks were carrying about 1,000 mortar shells, hundreds of grenade launchers and more than 80,000 rounds of ammunition for light and heavy weapons. Ankara, however, denied the allegation, saying the trucks had been carrying humanitarian aid to Syria.

The two journalists, who deny the espionage charges that can carry life sentences, spent over 90 days in pre-trial detention but were released in February after the Constitutional Court ruled their rights had been violated.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had personally filed a criminal complaint against the journalists, said in late February that he did not “obey or respect the decision” by the Constitutional Court.

Erdogan’s request to be one of the plaintiffs was accepted by the court, which ruled on March 25 that the trial should be held behind closed doors.

Supporters of Can Dundar, editor-in-chief of Cumhuriyet daily, wait in front of the Justice Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, April 1, 2016. (Reuters photo)

In protest against the trial, hundreds of people demonstrated outside the court room, chanting, “You cannot silence the free press,” and “Shoulder to shoulder against fascism.” Opposition politicians were among the protesters.

The court did not allow opposition members of parliament from attending the second hearing, according to lawyers.

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