The final hearing of the retrial against six journalists and a distributor working for Özgürlükçü Demokrasi [Libertarian Democracy] newspaper concluded.

At the hearing held at Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court, journalists were charged with "being an illegal organisation member", "making illegal organisation propaganda", "inciting people to hatred and hostility" and "praising crime and criminals".

The court acquitted journalist Mizgin Fendik and separated the case of Pınar Tarlak.

Lawyers Sercan Korkmaz and Özcan Kılıç were present at the hearing. The court sentenced Mehmet Ali Çelebi to 3 years and 9 months and journalists Reyhan Hacıoğlu, İhsan Yaşar, İshak Yasul and Hicran Ürün to 3 years, 1 month and 15 days each on the arbitrary and systematic charge of "aiding an illegal organisation", meaning the PKK.

In addition, the ban on travelling abroad imposed on the journalists on trial was lifted.