Özgür Gündem Newspaper Chief Editor Zana Bilir Kaya and Editor İnan Kızılkaya are held under severe conditions in Silivri Prison. On their first few days, the two journalists were put in a cell with a person accused for participating in the coup attempt and have not had any access to radio, television, or newspapers. Concerned over their lives, Kaya and Kızılkaya sleep in turns and keep night watches.

Along with 22 of their colleagues, Özgür Gündem Newspaper Chief Editor Zana Bilir Kaya and Editor İnan Kızılkaya had been violently detained during a police raid on the Özgür Gündem building in Taksim on August 16.

The 22 journalists had been cleared of "obstructing police officers" charges but later arrested for "membership in an organization", "disseminate propoganda for a terror organization", and "disrupting the unity of the state" and sent to Metris R-Type Closed Prison.

Zana Bilir Kaya and İnan Kızılkaya were later transferred to Silivri Prison, and Zana Bilir Kaya described their conditions to his brother Musa Kaya last Friday.

PLACED IN THE SAME CELL WITH A SUSPECTED COUP PLOTTER

Zana Bilir Kaya told his brother that the two journalists were placed in the same cell with a suspected coup plotter; an information that had also been given by the lawyers of İHD İstanbul Branch.

SLEEPING IN TURNS AT NIGHT

Zana Bilir Kaya also stated that the journalists sleep in turns at night and keep watch because they are concerned over their lives. The journalists have been deprived from their right to get fresh air, receive newspapers, or have access to radio or TV. The journalists are particularly isolated and have only had one chance to meet with their lawyers so far.

The two journalists called upon everyone to show solidarity with them and other imprisoned journalists.