Ferit Demir, Tunceli – Kemal Özer, a reporter for Evrensel newspaper who was arrested while investigating problems around sewage and grave-raiding in rural Turkey, has been returned to pre-trial detention by a court in Tunceli until December 28 at the earliest.
The third hearing of Özer on charges of membership in a terrorist organization and willfully aiding and abetting terrorist organizations took place at Tunceli 1st High Criminal Court. Özer, who has been in detention for 14 months, appeared before the court to present his defense.
Özer began his defense by recounting the events leading up to his arrest. “I was in Tavuk village of the Hozat district to follow up on a news story back then. I wanted to report on the sewage system problems of the villagers and also how the graves in the village were being destroyed by treasure hunters. However, I was taken by force by a group of armed people and was threatened with death. I did not commit any crime. I request my release.”
Özer’s lawyer Barış Yıldırım continued the defense by reminding the court that Özer was only taken into custody 5 days after the incident which is of concern to the prosecution. "If my client had anything to do with the incident, he could’ve escaped or hid somewhere else then where he resides. However he did not leave his home, therefore there is no escape risk. I request my client to be released pending trial." Yıldırım then argued that Özer’s ongoing detention is inhumane. Özer was exempted from military service for severe stomach problems which now make it hard for him to eat in prison.
After a 15 minute recess, the court ruled to adjourn the hearing until December 28 and keep Özer in detention until then.
Updated: November 28 2018
