IFJ / EFJ condemn scandalous ban on media at Turkey media trial

March 27, 2016

IFJ/EFJ today condemned the decision to hold the trial of Can Dundar and Erdem Gul behind closed doors. All diplomats, journalists, members of the public were evacuated from the court room.

The ruling was made earlier today on the first day of the Dundar/Gul case charged with aiding a terrorist organisation, espionage and disclosure of classified documents, having reported on the supply of arms to Syrian fighters by the Turkish secret services.

Gul and Dundar had previously been held for 92 days until the constitutional court set them free, 25 February, claiming their imprisonment was a breach of Article 19 ("right to personal liberty and security"), Article 26 (freedom of expression) and Article 28 (press freedom)) of Turkey’s Constitution.

"It is scandalous that a trial that has already been judged by the highest court in the land as central to freedom of expression, should take place in secret denying the right of the public to make their own views as to whether justice is being served," said Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary.

"Together with the IFJ and EFJ affiliates in Turkey, we ask all press freedom supporters to sign our petition for Freedom of Information and Freedom for Journalists in Turkey," said Ricardo Gutiérrez, EFJ General Secretary.

For more information contact:
International Federation of Journalists
Phone: + 32 2 235 22 16
Website: www.ifj.org