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May 02, 2025 – Turkey –
A prominent British human rights lawyer has filed an expanded appeal at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on behalf of Turkish journalist Ali Ünal, who has been imprisoned for nearly nine years on terrorism charges related to alleged links with the Gülen movement. The appeal contends that Ünal’s detention, trial, and ongoing incarceration violate multiple provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Ünal, 70, was a columnist for the now-defunct Zaman newspaper, which was shut down by the Turkish government following the 2016 coup attempt due to its affiliation with the Gülen movement. Since his arrest, he has been held in a high-security prison in İzmir, suffering from health issues attributed to his age.
This case is part of a broader crackdown on journalists in Turkey. In 2024 alone, Turkish authorities sentenced 58 journalists to a total of 135 years in prison, detained 112, and arrested 26, according to a report by the Stockholm Center for Freedom.
The international community continues to express concern over these developments, emphasizing the need to uphold journalistic integrity and freedom of expression.
Reference –
UK lawyer files new appeal at ECtHR for journalist jailed for 9 years over Gülen links
Turkish gov’t sentences four journalists up to 9 years in prison
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