Turkey: DW's Alican Uludag released, but trial continues

A court in Ankara opened proceedings against Deutsche Welle reporter Alican Uludag and released him from detention while the case continued. The next court date is scheduled for September 18. Uludag’s lawyer welcomed the release after months in detention and argued that even a conviction would not require 90 days in prison. The lawyer said the time spent in detention could be treated as punishment before conviction or could exceed it, and requested an urgent acquittal. Uludag was detained in February and accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, spreading misleading information, and disparaging state institutions or the Turkish state through 22 social media posts. He denied the charges and said he was objectively reporting. He appeared via video link after being denied in-person attendance, which he said violated his right to a fair defense.

"A court in Ankara on Thursday opened proceedings against Deutsche Welle reporter Alican Uludag, and released Uludag from detention while the case against him continued. The next court date is scheduled for September 18. Uludag's lawyer Abbas Yalcin welcomed his client's release after months in detention, but also argued that even if Uludag were convicted, "he would not spend 90 days in prison.""

"Yalcin said the period in detention could be seen "as the equivalent of a punishment issued prior to conviction, or even as exceeding this." "We hope that this will bring an end to proceedings and we ask for an urgent decision on his acquittal," he said. What is the trial about? Uludag was detained in February, accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, spreading misleading information and disparaging state institutions or the Turkish state in a total of 22 posts on social media."

"Uludag was denied a request to appear in court in person, instead appearing via video link, which he said was "a breach of my right to a fair defense." He said he had spent 90 days removed from his family and his workplace. "As an independent journalist I tried to write the truth and to defend the public's right to information. I was frequently threatened, but my conscience is clear. I have never done things as a journalist that I now have cause to regret. The freedom of press and opinion guarantee""

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