Deputy claims 650 more journalists to be investigated
TM
Main Opposition MP's of People's Republic Party (CHP) Baris Yardas(2nd L) and Sezgin Tanrikulu (L) stands outside Istanbul's courthouse on December 29, 2016 before the start of the trial of Turkish novelist Asli Erdogan. The banner reads: "we will not a part of this shame"
Prominent Turkish novelist Asli Erdogan and linguist Necmiye Alpay face controversial terror charges, over their work at a now closed pro-Kurdish newspaper, in a case that has caused international alarm. The newspaper Ozgur Gundem was raided by the authorities in August and then shut down on accusations of links with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
/ AFP PHOTO / OZAN KOSE
Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Barış Yarkadaş announced on Thursday that 650 more journalists are to be investigated due to their messages on Twitter.
The Ministry of Interior Affairs had stated earlier this week that 10,000 people are under investigation because of their social media posts.
Yarkadaş urged the end of baseless investigations against journalists during remarks in front of the courthouse before a hearing in the trial of the shut-down pro-Kurdish Özgür Gündem daily.
Currently, there are at least 145 journalists in prison in Turkey.
