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Defendants: Mehmet Dursun

Media Outlet and Position: Dicle News Agency – reporter

Accusations: “Membership in a terrorist organization”

Court: Van 4. High Criminal Court

Cases Background: 

Mehmet Dursun, a reporter for the Dicle News Agency (DİHA), was arrested on April 6, 2018, during raids in Van. He has been charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” over his phone calls with his news sources in 2014.

After eight months in pretrial detention, Dursun was brought to the court on December 5, 2018. He denied all charges and asked for acquittal on the grounds of freedom of expression. He was released from jail on parole on December 5, with his next hearing set for May 15, 2019.

During a hearing on October 25, 2019, Dursun did not attend the hearing in person, but his lawyers defended that Dursun’s journalistic activities are completely under freedom of expression.

During the hearing on Jan 30, 2020, Dursun was absent due to being at mandatory military service. The court lifted the judicial control measure for reporting weekly to the police centers, yet maintained the international travel ban in place.

During the hearing on March 3, Dursun was absent and the statements of other defendants in the case were heard. Next hearing is set for April 21.