Journalist Freed After 75 Days in Prison: "I Came to Defend Journalism"

A Turkish journalist was released from prison on Monday after spending 75 days behind bars for a news report that won him an award.

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BirGün reporter İsmail Arı appeared in court for his first hearing and was ordered released. In his statement to the court, Arı declared, "I came here not just to defend myself, but to defend journalism" [167259]. He reminded the court that the news report which led to his prosecution had previously received an award [167259]. Arı also demanded that criminal complaints be filed against police officers who conducted a strip search and attempted to seize his phone without legal authority [167259].

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Journalist Freed After 75 Days: "I Came to Defend Journalism" #167259

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