Turkish journalist Can Dundar sentenced to 27 years in prison

Turkish journalist Can Dundar sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for supposedly, supporting terrorism and political or military espionage.

An Istanbul a court sentenced the former editor-in-chief of Cumhuriyet newspaper in absentia to 18 years and nine months for obtaining state secrets for espionage and eight years and nine months for supporting an armed terrorist organisation without being a member.

Dundar is currently in exile in Germany and, the defence team were absent from the trial in protest at what they have called politically motivated charges.

The lawyers say in a written statement on Tuesday ahead of the hearing.

“We do not want to be part of a practice to legitimize a previously decided, political verdict,”

The court delayed its verdict earlier this month after Dundar’s lawyers requested that judges be replaced to ensure a fair trial. The court rejected the request.

The journalist fled Turkey in 2016 to escape legal charges after being convicted of espionage for publishing a story about a Turkish arms shipments to Syrian rebels the year before.

By Yazdaan Khan

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