Second hearing in the case against imprisoned reporter for Etkin News Agency (ETHA) Meşale Tolu, Birol Kurt, Deniz Havuç, Fırat Çağla, Emre Altunkaya and Serkan Okatan was held at Istanbul 29th Heavy Penal Court on Monday.

The hearing was observed by German Ambassador Martin Erdmann, German Left Party parliamentary group chairperson Heike Hänsel, writer Gunter Wallraff and Tolu’s lawyers from Germany in addition to several other people.

Tolu stated in her defense that she had been imprisoned as part of the repression against the press in Turkey. Following the defense of defendants, the prosecutor demanded the release of six people.

The panel of judges then decided to release Meşale Tolu and five other prisoners on condition of travel ban and judicial control, and adjourned the hearing to 26 April 2018.