Today’s conviction (aggravated life sentence) by Istanbul Court regarding renowned Turkish journalists Ahmet Altan, Mehmet Altan, Nazlı Ilıcak, Fevzi Yazıcı, Tugrul Ozsengul is appalling and shameful.

The decision made it clear again that there are not separate executive branches, judiciary and the rule of law in Turkey; to accept this fact is vital to be successful in the peaceful struggle on behalf of victimised Turkish people.

The Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights have affirmative obligations to the its member, Turkey’s citizens. The COE and The ECtHR should stop balking at Turkey and start to act in the way that they are obliged with the European Convention on Human Rights and the founding treaty of the Council.

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