Key ruling expected in trial of Turkey opposition newspaper staff

The case, which opened in Istanbul in July, involves 17 current and former writers, cartoonists and executives from Cumhuriyet who are being tried on “terror” charges in a move denounced by supporters as absurd.

For government critics, the case is emblematic of the erosion of freedom following last year’s failed coup when Ankara launched a massive crackdown targeting those with alleged links to the putschists as well as opponents.

Defence lawyers said they expect a ruling on whether the five staffers can be released from pre-trial detention, a move the prosecution opposes.

On July 28, an Istanbul court freed seven of the newspaper’s staff after 271 days, including respected cartoonist Musa Kart and Turhan Gunay, editor of the books supplement.

But some of the paper’s most prominent staff remain in custody, among them commentator Kadri Gursel, investigative journalist Ahmet Sik, editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu and chief executive Akin Atalay.

– ‘Trampled-upon justice’ –

Columnist Gursel was defiant when he took the stand, claiming he was on trial because of his “journalistic activities”.

“Whatever the verdict, I have an untroubled conscience. And if there is even a little bit of justice left in this period where justice has been trampled upon, I know I will be acquitted,” he said.

Sik has been behind bars for 255 days while Gursel, Sabuncu and Atalay have been jailed for 316 days. If convicted, they face varying terms of up to 43 years.

Eight other suspects have also been charged but are not being held in prison.

Sik is the author of an explosive 2011 book entitled “The Imam’s Army”, which exposed how followers of influential Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen infiltrated the Turkish bureaucracy and built ties with the ruling party.

Once a close ally of President Erdogan, Gulen is in self-imposed exile in the United States, wanted on charges of ordering the failed July 2016 coup, allegations he denies. More than 50,000 people have been arrested on suspicion of links to his movement.

Those on trial are charged with using their position to support the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the ultra-left Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), and the Gulen movement.

Ankara has branded all three terror organisations.

Gursel rejected accusations of links to the Gulen movement based on the receipt of unanswered calls and text messages from alleged putschists.

– ‘Shameful trial’ –

Accountant Iper, meanwhile, insists he is innocent of allegations he had downloaded the Bylock messaging app which authorities claim was used by Gulen’s supporters to coordinate the coup bid.

Iper told the court he was “sure” he would be released quickly after his detention in April and that he begged the prosecutor “to examine my phone” at the time.

“I ask for my acquittal in this shameful trial,” Iper added.

The judge asked several witnesses including Cumhuriyet journalists and former members of the foundation which owns the daily, about its financial situation and the editorial process: how headlines are chosen and the angle of stories.

Editor-in-chief Sabuncu condemned the trial, telling the judge it “has unfortunately already entered the darkest pages of the history of press freedom” in Turkey.

Christophe Deloire, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) secretary general, said the journalists “are judged simply because they embody the journalism worthy of its name in Turkey and they do not broadcast the propaganda of the Erdogan regime”.

– ‘Targeting Erdogan’ –

The secular daily is one of the few voices in the Turkish media to oppose Erdogan, with its embarrassing scoops angering those in the corridors of power.

Also on trial, but in absentia after fleeing to Germany, is the paper’s former editor-in-chief Can Dundar, who was last year sentenced to five years and 10 months in jail over a front-page story accusing the government of sending weapons to Syria.

In the indictment, the newspaper was accused of an “intense perception operation” targeting both Turkey and Erdogan using the tactics of an “asymmetric war”.

According to the P24 press freedom group, there are 170 journalists behind bars in Turkey, most of whom were arrested after the coup.

Turkey ranks 155 out of 180 on the latest RSF world press freedom index.