MARDIN - The first hearing of the case in which five journalists were tried was held. While the court deemed the journalists' press cards invalid during the trial, the hearing was postponed to October 13.

 

The first hearing of the trial against journalists Rojda Aydın, Halime Parlak, Nurcan Yalçın, Ahmet Kanbal, and Mehmet Şah Oruç who were detained during the trustee protests in Mardin in 2019 was held at the 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance in Mardin. While four journalists and their lawyers were present at the hearing, Mehmet Şah Oruç did not attend the hearing.

 

After the identification, the indictment was read. While the court board did not recognize the journalists' press cards as invalid, the prosecution demanded that the journalists be punished.

Defending against this, the journalists stated that they were following the news and that they were detained in the meantime and that their press cards are valid.

 

The hearing has been postponed

 

Then, the lawyers stated that their clients were journalists and submitted the necessary documents to the delegation that they were journalists. Lawyers said: “Our clients have followed the news. Their participation or arrangement to the event is out of the question. This is a restriction on their freedom to report. We demand their acquittal.’’

 

Then the hearing was suspended. Later, the court board adjourned the hearing to October 13, because Mehmet Şah Oruç did not attend the hearing and his statement was not taken.