CoE human rights commissioner intervenes in Turkish journalists' cases at ECHR

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks has reportedly intervened in the cases against jailed Turkish journalists, to which the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has agreed to give priority and demanded Turkey's defense.

Muiznieks has asked the court to present his opinion on Aug. 26 over an authorization given by article 3 of article 36 of the Convention on Human Rights. His request was accepted by the ECHR on Aug. 30 and the court wanted his opinion to be submitted by Oct. 11. 

His request reportedly covers the cases against daily Cumhuriyet Editor-in-Chief Murat Sabuncu, the daily's executive president Akın Atalay, editorial consultant Kadri Gürsel, along with the cases of journalists Ahmet Şık, Murat Aksoy, Mehmet Altan, Ahmet Altan, Nazlı Ilıcak, Şahin Alpay, Deniz Yücel and singer Atilla Taş. 

In the wake of the July 15, 2016, coup attempt, the employees of many publications and media organs were detained on charges of being members of the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).

Sabuncu and nine others from the daily were arrested last year on several charges, including "membership in an armed terrorist organization" and "helping an armed terrorist organization while not being a member of it." 

[HH] Journalists apply to ECHR

Being jailed ever since, the journalists applied to the ECHR, challenging the relevant detention orders and applying for their release. According to the ECHR, the journalists and executives complained about their pre-trial detention and its duration and also claimed that there had been a breach of their freedom of expression. The Cumhuriyet employees' application on March 2 was made based on the right to liberty and security, right to a speedy review of the...