Turkey sentences journalist to eight years in prison

A Turkish court sentenced journalist Muhammet Dogru to eight years and six months in prison on Monday.

Journalist Dogru appeared in Sakarya 2. Criminal Court for allegations of “being a member of a terrorist organization” and “making terrorist propaganda”.

Dogru was working for Dicle News Agency, which was shut down by Turkish government with a statutory decree.

The court sentenced Dogru to six years and three months in prison for “being a member of terrorist organization” and two years and three months for “making terrorist propaganda”.

Twelve other defendants, Muhammet Emin Özvariş, Leyla Ayap, Saliha Aras, Mikail Erkan, Zozan Han, Ayşe Durmaz, Filiz Yavuz, Semih Batikan, Doğan Toğcu, Nesih Soydan and Gül Narin Çelik were also sentenced to six years and three months in prison each.