Turkey: A journalist detained, three others referred to court

According to the Free Journalists Initiative (Özgür Gazeteciler İnisiyatifi, ÖGİ), 139 journalists are behind bars in Turkey.

Journalist Serdal Işık, correspondent of the government critical ETHA news agency, has been detained in Istanbul. This morning Işık was stopped by the police at a tram stop. After an ID criminal check, he was taken into custody.

In the meantime, three correspondents of the Mesopotamia News Agency (MA), who were detained recently have been referred to court today.

MA journalist Berivan Altan was taken into custody during a raid on her home in Ankara on 26 November in compliance of the arrest warrant issued by Mersin 3rd Penal Court of Peace and taken to Mersin. After 8 days in custody, Altan has been referred to Mersin Courthouse today. She is accused of “membership to a terrorist organization” because of her journalistic activities.

MA journalists Sadiye Eser and Sadık Topaloğlu, who were detained while leaving their office in Beyoğlu, Istanbul on November 29, have also been referred to court today. Eser and Topaloğlu are also accused of “membership to a terrorist organization” because of their journalistic activities.