The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 15 other press freedom and human rights organizations Thursday in calling on Turkish authorities to release İsmail Arı, a reporter for the leftist daily BirGün, who has been in detention since March 21. His trial will begin in Ankara on June 5.
Arı was indicted in mid-May on charges of spreading disinformation and violating confidentiality, and he could face up to six years in prison if found guilty. This is the second joint statement that CPJ has participated in asking for the journalist’s release.
The signatories asked the Turkish authorities to “immediately and unconditionally release” Arı at the June 5 hearing, repeal Article 217/A — the so-called disinformation law — “in its entirety,” and “bring all legislation regulating freedom of expression into line with Turkey’s international obligations.”
Read the full statement here.