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Arrested 3 months ago on allegations made by a state repentant, Reporter
Demirkaya is to be tried for "aiding and abetting the PKK". He faces 10
years imprisonment if found guilty and on separate trial for covering the
release of kidnapped soldier Kirandi
Arrested three months ago on allegations made by a former member of the
outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) who surrendered to security forces in
Tunceli, Dicle News Agency (DIHA) reporter Rustu Demirkaya is to be tried
for "aiding and abetting" that organization.
Attempts made by Demirkaya's attorney Baris Yildirim for his release have
yielded no results and the journalist will appear as defendant before the
Malatya 3rd High Criminal Court on September 21. If found guilty of the
charges, Demirkaya faces 5 to 10 years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, the case launched against Demirkaya for his involvement in the
coverage of the 4 August 2005 release by PKK of kidnapped private Coskun
Kirandi will be held on September 8.
Detained while covering Kirandi's release together with three journalists
and five human rights activists, Demirkaya is charged in this separate case
for "conducting propaganda of the organization and its aims".
In prison for 3 months
Demirkaya was initially arrested and sent to the Tunceli Prison on 14 June
after being apprehended according to statements made by a state repentant
identified as Engin Korumcu. He was later transferred to Malatya prison
where he is currently held.
Korumcu claimed he was a member of the PKK organization and made statements
that involved Demirkaya. The journalist's lawyer Yildirim has since been
arguing that it was a violation of the law for him to be placed under arrest
merely due to claims made by a "repentant".
Demirkaya's recent problems started after he filed a news report on a
criminal complaint made against Tunceli Province Gendarme Regiment Commander
Namik Dursun who was accused of fraud. He was detained on May 4, 2005 for
this report. (EO/II/YE)-Erol ONDEROGLU