The trial of six people including journalists Aziz Oruç and Dicle Müftüoğlu has been adjourned until 18 January 2023

RUŞEN TAKVA, VAN

10th hearing in the trial of imprisoned journalist Aziz Oruç, Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) Co-Chair Dicle Müftüoğlu four other defendants was held atthe Ağrı 2nd High Criminal Court on 23 November 22. Oruç is charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” and “terrorism propaganda,” the other five defendants including Müftüoğlu are charged with “aiding a terrorist organization willingly.”

Aziz Oruç attended the hearing from Diyarbakır No.1 Prison, Oruç’s lawyer Sultan Çiftçi from Van, Müftüoğlu’s lawyer Resul Temur from Diyarbakır, and lawyer Erselan Aktan from İstanbul, all via judicial video-conferencing system.

The prosecutor repeating their final opinion on the case demanded that Oruç be acquitted “membership in a terrorist organization” and be convicted of “terrorism propaganda.” The prosecutor requested the other five defendants including Müftüoğlu to be convicted of “favoring an offense or an offender.”

The presiding judge read out a testimony by witness Sait Ç’s stating “I know that Aziz Oruç workerd for Sterk TV, which supports the terrorist organization,” and asked Oruç if he had anything to say.

Telling that he started his career at the Dicle News Agency, Oruç said, “I am now serving as news editor fort he Mezopotamya Agency. I have never worked for Sterk TV.”

Speaking after Oruç, his lawyer Sultan Atik Çiftçiler said, “Sait Ç.’s testimony is abstract and accussing. There is no concrete evidence. Our client is a journalist so we believe that the witness statement does not qualify to be an evidence within the scope of the case.”

Müftüoğlu’s lawyer Resul Temur demanded additional time to set up a defense.

The presiding judge said the other defendants’ lawyers have failed to attend the hearing since the beginning of the trial and noted that disciplinary and judicial steps will be taken unless they present a strong excuse.

The court adjourned the trial until 18 January 2023.

Journalist Aziz Oruç has been tried for entering Turkey by unlawful ways on 18 December 2019. Müftüoğlu and four other defendants have been standing trial for aiding Oruç, who was accused of using a fake passport as he was travelling to Europe through Armenia and extradited to Iran without a court ruling. Oruç was then left on Turkish-Iranian border after being ill-treated by Iranian officials.