Journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül arrested because of the story and the footage published about the state intelligence agency’s (MİT) trucks loaded with guns.
Can Dündar, the editor-in-chief Cumhuriyet newspaper, and Erdem Gül, Cumhuriyet’s Ankara representative are arrested because of their news reports about MİT trucks.
“Our struggle will continue”
After the court decision, Can Dündar went live on a TV channel and said: “There is no reason to be sad. This is like a badge of honor for us. Our struggle will continue everywhere.” Can Dündar and Erdem Gül are accused of “divulging state secrets” and “making propaganda for a terrorist organization”.
“What we defend is the freedom of press”
Can Dündar, before the decision was declared, spoke in CHP MP Eren Erdem’s Periscope broadcast. He said: “What we defend is the freedom of press. Moreover we defend people’s freedom of information.” An investigation was opened against Dündar and Gül about 6 months ago and they were arrested last night.
The background of the case
On May 29, a story and footages published about MİT trucks loaded with guns going to Syria and an investigation was opened with the accusation of “divulging state secrets” and making “propaganda for a terrorist organization” against two journalists. Chief Public Prosecutor Hadi Salihoğlu announced the investigation with a press statement.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also filed a complaint personally requesting aggravated life imprisonment for Can Dündar.
