First EU Reactions Against MİT Trucks Indictment

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European Union Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn has shown reaction to the indictment against Cumhuriyet daily Chief Editor Can Dündar and its Ankara Representative Erdem Gül.

Hahn making a statement on his Twitter account has noted the following:

“We have been shocked by the life sentences demanded against Cumhuriyet [daily] journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül. Equality and proportionality before the law are a must.

“Everyone has the inalienable right for an independent and transparent investigation. These rights must be respected.

“Turkey negotiating EU membership must ensure full respect of human rights including freedom of expression according to the European Convention on Human Rights”.

Shocked by life sentences demanded against #Cumhuriyet journalists C.Dündar+E. Gül. Equality + proportionality before the law are a must 1/3

— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) 27 Ocak 2016

Everyone has the inalienable right for an independent and transparent investigation. These rights must be respected. 2/3

— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) 27 Ocak 2016

#Turkey,negotiating EU membership,must ensure full respect of #HumanRights (HR),incl.freedom of expression, acc. Europ. Convention on HR 3/3

— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) 27 Ocak 2016

What had happened?

-Dündar and Gül are in prison since November 26, 2015 over the report on National Security Organization’s (MİT) trucks and had to face charges of “obtaining confidential information of regarding the state for political purposes or military spying”, “disclosing information regarding security of the state for spying purposes”, “attempting to partially or wholly abolish the Government of Republic of Turkey or prevent it from fulfilling its duties” and “knowingly and willfully helping the terrorist organization as a non-member”.

The indictment demands aggravated life imprisonment and imprisonment up to 30 years for the journalists. (EA/DG)