Welcoming release of Kadri Gürsel, OSCE media freedom representative calls for release of imprisoned Cumhuriyet journalists in Turkey

VIENNA, 26 September 2017 – “I welcome last night's release of Kadri Gürsel after almost a year in prison. The charges against him must also be dropped as a matter of urgency,” OSCE media freedom representative Harlem Désir said today.

“The trial demonstrates that the charges against him and his colleagues from Cumhuriyet are groundless. I therefore urge the Turkish authorities to use the momentum to free all Cumhuriyet journalists in prison and drop the charges against them without further delay,” the Representative added.

On 25 September, the Çağlayan Istanbul Courthouse ruled that Cumhuriyet journalist Kadri Gürsel be released pending completion of the trial, but ordered the continued imprisonment of four of his colleagues, Akın Atalay, Emre İper, Murat Sabuncu and Ahmet Şık. The trial is adjourned until 31 October. Together with twelve other Cumhuriyet staff, the defendants face up to 43 years in prison for various terrorism charges.

"This trial, especially the excessive pre-trial detention and the continued lack of evidence supporting the severe accusations against the journalists, shows the extent of the problems being faced by journalists in Turkey," Désir said. “All journalists imprisoned for their work must be freed.”

The Representative repeated his call to the authorities of Turkey to engage in legal and policy reforms that would pave the way for the protection of media freedom and freedom of expression, and offered the assistance of his Office in this important process.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.