KurdistanObserver.com

Turkish Court Rejects Releasing DIHA News Agency Reporter

Sep 22, 2005

DIHA reporter Duru was arrested while he was investigating allegations about cannabis planting. Local court has rejected his demand to be released. His camera and tape recorder have not been returned in case the "evidence is not fiddled with."

Diyarbakir - "Birol Duru", a reporter for the Dicle News Agency (DIHA) was arrested in the Dinarbey village of the Karliova district of the province of Bingol and put to jail. A court has rejected Duru's demand to be released pending the outcome of the trial.

The journalist will be tried by the specialized heavy penalty court in Diyarbakir. The specialized heavy penalty court has replaced the State Security Courts (DGM).

Third court rejects releasing Duru too

The reporters' camera and tape recorder have not been returned in case the "evidence is not fiddled with."

Birol Duru was detained in the Dinarbey village while he was shooting the cannabis fields, and was arrested by a local court. Through his lawyer Servet Ozen, Duru made an application to the local court asking to be released. This was the third court Duru applied to be released. And the third court that rejected his application.

Duru was investigating allegations that Lieutenant AY of the Yedisu provincial paramilitary police in Bingol, was planting cannabis in cooperation with some villagers.

He was arrested after police officers found a cassette in his bag, which contained expressions which complimented HPG militants. He was sent to a Bingol prison on August 14.