News Center- The second hearing of the trial against Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporter Ceylan Şahinli was held today by the Ankara 20th High Criminal Court. The journalist has been held in pre-trial detention since October 2022 and faces prison sentence on charges of “propagandizing for a terrorist organization” for her journalistic activities in 2017.

While Ceylan Şahinli was present in the courtroom, her lawyer Resul Temur attended the hearing from the Diyarbakır Courthouse through Audio-Visual Information System (SEGBİS).

Journalists barred entry to courtroom

Nuray Çevirmen, Co-spokesperson of the Human Rights Association (İHD) Central Prisons' Commission and reporters, including journalist Hüseyin Aykol, were barred from attending a hearing on the ground that the courtroom was full up.

Her lawyer demanded her acquittal

At the hearing, lawyer Resul Temur refused the accusation against his client and demanded her acquittal; however, the court rejected his demand. The next hearing of the journalist will be held on June 12, 2023.