Turkish journalist Baris Pehlivan, ordered by text message three months ago to return to prison, was released for the fifth time in two years this Friday, Turkish media reported.
“I should never have gone through what I have gone through in the last three months. […] I will continue to do journalism the same way as before,” Pehlivan told Turkish media after his release from prison.
The journalist was arrested for the fifth time in two years in August after a text message urging him to appear at the Marmara detention center, the former Silivri prison where many opponents are being held.
His request for parole was initially rejected due to a complaint of “insulting a public official” in connection with an article he wrote about corruption in the judiciary.
Pehlivan was finally released after the complaint was withdrawn.
Baris Pehlivan, 40, former editor-in-chief of the Oda TV channel and an employee of the Cumhuriyet daily, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison in 2021 for violating the secret service law, and was then released for the first time after six months. detention.
He was arrested five times and then released on parole. He is accused of reporting the 2020 death of a Turkish intelligence officer in Libya, where Ankara had supported the UN-recognized government.
The death was never denied by Turkish authorities.
About 20 organizations protecting journalists condemned the “prosecution” of the journalist.
According to the latest Reporters Without Borders (RSF) press freedom index, published in 2023, Turkey ranks 165th out of 180 countries.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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