Aslan, who was charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” on account of his work as journalist, remained in pre-trial detention for 4.5 months as part of the case

CANSU PİŞKİN, ISTANBUL

Mezopotamya News Agency (MA) reporter Mehmet Aslan appeared before the Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court on 16 December 2021 for the final hearing of his trial on the charge of “membership in a terrorist organization” under Article 314/2 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). The charge stemmed from Aslan’s work as a journalist and his phone calls with his sources.

P24 monitored the hearing. Aslan and his lawyer Özcan Kılıç attended the hearing.

In their final opinion submitted to the court earlier this month, the prosecutor wrote that Aslan’s seized digital equipment, books and magazines and his news reports held as evidence for the accusation did not constitute the alleged offense and requested Aslan’s acquittal due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The prosecutor reiterated their final opinion during the hearing. Addressing the court following the prosecutor, Aslan and his lawyer also demanded his acquittal. Issuing its judgment at the end of the hearing, the court ruled for Aslan’s acquittal and lifted the international travel ban imposed on the journalist.

Aslan was taken into custody in Istanbul on 9 January 2021. He was subsequently sent to Antalya, where he was jailed pending trial by a criminal judgeship of peace. The journalist was released pending trial at the end of his first hearing, held on 26 May 2021, after spending four-and-a-half months behind bars.