İSTANBUL - In the hearing where 14 employees of Özgürlükçü Demokrasi (Libertarian Democracy) Newspaper, 3 of whom were detained pending trial, the court board announced their decision. The journalists were sentenced to 14 years and 4 months of prison time.
The 5th hearing of the case where 14 employees, 3 of whom were detained, was closed and their properties were confiscated, was held in İstanbul 23rd High Criminal Court.İhsan Yaşar, the detained licencee of the newspaper and the editors Mehmet Ali Çelebi and Reyhan Hacıoğlu was ready at the trial as well as journalists İshak Yasul, Hicran Urun, Pınar Tarlak and Ramazan Sola. Mizgin Fendik attended the trial via video conference system (SEBGİS).
The prosecutor repeated his opinion. The court then asked journalists for their final words. Mehmet Ali Çelebi, in his last statement, said: “We carried out activities within the framework of press freedom. Freedom of the press can not be punished.” Hicran Urun said: “This indictment charges journalism. Journalism cannot be prosecuted.” Reyhan Hacıoğlu said: "We have been truthful as journalists. Truthful journalism cannot be prosecuted."
After the break, the court announced its decision. Pınar Tarlak, Ramazan Sola and Mizgin Pendik were acquitted. Hicran Urun, Reyhan Hacıoğlu and İshak Yasul was sentenced to 3 years and one months of prison sentence with the accusation 'aiding and abetting the organization'. The court also sentenced Yasul to 1 year 6 months and 22 days for 'propaganda'. Mehmet Ali Çelebi was sentenced to 3 years, 9 months witht he accusation of 'aiding and abetting the organization'. Licencee of the newspaper İhsan Yaşar was sentenced to 10 months for possession of a gun.
The court decided to release Hacıoğlu, Çelebi and Yaşar.