VAN- Journalist Adnan Bilen was tried with the charge of 'Praising an illegal organization' and was sentenced to 1 year and 10 months of jail time.

 

The trial for Adnan Bilen who was discharged from his job in Van Metropolitan Municipality after a trustee was appointed and then a law suit was filed against him with the charge of 'Praising an illegal organization' was held at Van 2. Criminal Court.

 

 Bilen said his shares must be considered in the context of freedom of thought and expression.His attorney Haşem Baygümüş presented the similar verdicts passed by ECHR and Supreme Court .

 

Attorney Baygümüş defended that his client is a journalist and his shares must be considered in the context of the people's right to obtain information, said the verdicts passed by Turkey's judiciary rips Turkey away from law and bringing it closer to being a middle east country and demanded the release of his client.

 

Court board decided to sentence Bilen to 1 year and 10 months of jail time and the deferment of the announcement of the verdict  for 5 years.