Journalists in custody denied access to their lawyers

The journalists detained for covering Erdoğan’s son in law and Minister of Energy Berat Albayrak’s leaked e-mails are still in custody.

The six journalists detained for covering Erdoğan’s son in law and Minister of Energy Berat Albayrak’s leaked e-mails two days ago are denied access to their lawyers.

ETHA (Etkin News Agency) managing editor and Özgür Radyo’s Publication Coordinator Derya Okatan's lawyer Gülhan Kaya said they have objected to the lawyer restriction issued by Prosecutor Hasan Yılmaz.

Lawyer Kaya stated that: "In a recently issued decree, there is just one-day restriction of access to lawyers for the detainees, and this requires a judge order. However, the prosecutor has imposed a five-day restriction in the investigation within the scope of which my client has been taken into custody. The prosecutor acts in line with the first decree but the decree numbered 676 re-arranges the lawyer visit matter and allows only one day restriction, with which the prosecutor, however does not comply.”

Law Bureau of the Oppressed ( Ezilenlerin Hukuk Bürosu) lawyer Kaya said their denial to see the clients was unlawful, noting that they have objected to the decision and are waiting for the result. She added that a confidentiality order has been issued on the investigation file.

Journalist Derya Okatan was taken into custody yesterday from the home she was visiting in Ankara after a funeral, and was later taken to İstanbul.

In the same inquiry, DİHA News Director Ömer Çelik was taken into custody from Diyarbakır, DİHA reporter Metin Yoksu, former Diken editor Tunca Öğreten, Birgün worker Mahir Kanat and Yolculuk Newspaper Editor in Chief Eray Saygın were taken into custody from İstanbul the day before.

The journalists are now held at Istanbul Police Directorate's Anti-Organized Crime Branch.