AMED – Journalist Abdurrahman Gök, whose arrest was decided to continue, drew attention that he was tried for the photo he took of Kemal Kurkut and said: "I will continue to do my job whether I am inside or outside."

 

The first hearing of the case filed against Mezopotamya Agency (MA) editor Abdurrahman Gök, who was arrested after being detained in the house raid in Amed(Diyarbakır) on April 25, on the allegations of "being a member of a terrorist organization" and "making propaganda for a terrorist organization", was held at Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court. In addition to journalist professional organizations, Gök's relatives and representatives of many non-governmental organizations and political parties followed the hearing.

 

Speaking at the hearing that started with identification, journalist Gök said: "I have been a journalist for more than 20 years. I also do conflict area journalism. I have worked as a journalist in Iran, Iraq and Turkey. In 2017, the Diyarbakır Governorship made an unfortunate statement regarding the shooting of Kemal Kurkut during Diyarbakır Newroz. He had made a statement. The police probably directed him. Afterwards, an investigation was opened against me 5 times after I published the naked photos I took. I think this photo was the reason for the opening of this case."

 

LAWYER TEMUR: THE COURT IS BEING UNDER PRESSURE

 

Lawyer Resul Temur took the floor and presented the SSI records providing Gök's employment to the court. Temur said: "The witness Ümit Akbıyık did not give my client's name in his first statement, and in the subsequent processes, the prosecutor tried to get a statement about my client, as if saying 'Give the name of Abdurrahman Gök', and When we look at the entire file, there is no evidence that my client is a 'member of the organisation'. Law enforcement and the prosecutor's office have commented that this is the case. This puts pressure not only on my client but also on the court."

 

LAWYERS: NO EVIDENCE

 

Lawyer Mehmet Emin Aktar, on the other hand, said that Gök has been paying the price for it since that day because she shed light on Kemal Kurkut's death with the photograph she took. Aktar requested the release of Gök because there was no serious crime against him.

 

After the lawyers' defense, the prosecution requested continued detention.

 

GÖK: I WILL CONTINUE DO MY JOB

 

Speaking about the continuation of arrest, Gök said: “There are no deficiencies in the file. Before I was arrested, I was frequently followed by the police. I was under control. These are indicators of why I was arrested. I defended every news I made. I did not escape trial. I even attended the hearing where I was tried with a 22-year sentence. I will continue to do my job whether I am inside or outside. I demand my release."

 

THE HEARING IS ON DECEMBER 5

 

The court decided to hear the witness Ümit Akbıyık in the next hearing, to request Gök's files in the Supreme Court and to continue his arrest.

 

The hearing was postponed to December 5.