Journalist Freed After 75 Days: "I Came to Defend Journalism"
Part of composite article Turkish MP Drops 33-Question Bomb Over Detainee Abuse; Family Network Demands Cops Punished for ‘Naked Search’ View full article →
BirGün reporter İsmail Arı was released from prison on Monday after his first court hearing, 75 days after his arrest. In court, Arı said, "I came here not just to defend myself, but to defend journalism."
Arı reminded the court that he received an award for the news report that led to his prosecution. He also demanded that criminal complaints be filed against police officers who conducted a strip search and attempted to seize his phone without legal authority.