Life Imprisonment Demanded for Özgür Gündem Writers, Executives

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Investigation launched by İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office into writers and executives of Özgür Gündem daily, which was closed by the Statutory Decree (KHK) has been completed.

Of Özgür Gündem executives and some of its workers, Kemal Sancılı, Aslı Erdoğan, İnan Kızılkaya, Zana Bilir Kaya, Ayşe Necmiye Alpay, Emire Eren Keskin, Filiz Koçali, Ragıp Zarakolu and Bilge Akut took place as suspects on the 32-page indictment prepared by Prosecutor Umut Tepe.

Özgür Gündem Publishing Consultant Board member Aslı Erdoğan and Necmiye Alpay, its Editor-in-Chief Zana Kaya and its Chief Clerk İnan Kızılkaya have been jailed pending trial.

Aggravated life and from 6.5 to 17.5 years imprisonment have been demanded for Özgür Gündem’s nine writers and executives, four of whom arrested on charges of “Being a member of an armed organization”, “Disrupting integrity and unity of the state”, “Propagandizing for terrorism”.

The verdict is expected to be announced within 15 days.

What had happened?

İstanbul 8th Criminal Court of Peace closed Özgür Gündem daily on August 16 on charge of “[illegal] organization propaganda”.

After a short while of the daily’s closing, Riot Squad Police raided daily’s building in İstanbul’s Beyoğlu district.

Özgür Gündem’s Publishing Consultancy Board Member and author Aslı Erdoğan was arrested on August 19.

Daily’s Editor-in-Chief Zana Kaya and Chief Clerk İnan Kızılkaya were arrested on August 22.

Özgür Gündem Publishing Consultant Board member, linguist and writer Necmiye Alpay was arrested on August 31. (NV/TK)

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