Journalist İdris Sayılğan arrested in Edirne
Edirne – Mezopotamya Agency reporter İdris Sayılğan is arrested upon being taken in police custody while reporting on the refugees crossing Turkey’s Greek border in Edirne’s Pazarkule district after Turkey’s statement on opening its borders to Europe, has been arrested.
Mezopotamya Agency reporters İdris Sayılğan and Naci Kaya, who were in Edirne to report on the refugees crossing the border, were taken in police custody on Saturday, 29 February.
Sayılğan, who is represented by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), was arrested on the basis that he violated the international travel ban that was in effect for him. It has been stated that Naci Kaya is still under custody.
Sayılğan was sentenced to 8 years 3 months in prison for “membership in a terrorist organization” charges by Muş 2nd High Criminal Court in January 2019 and was released with judicial control measures including an international travel ban on 27 November 2019 by the decision of Erzurum Appallate Court’s 2nd Penal Chamber during an examination of his appeal.
Sayılğan testified before the Erzurum Appellate Court’s 2nd Penal Chamber via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS) today following Edirne Chief Prosecutor’s Office’s letter claiming that Sayılğan ‘was caught while trying to cross the border’ despite the travel ban. Erzurum court ruled for Sayılğan’s arrest on the grounds that he willingly violated the judicial measures against him.