The new Turkey Ziya Ataman. Reporter for DİHA
05-Nov-2019 17:21 What happened?
9 October 2019: Court issues judgment in Ziya Ataman case The 2nd High Criminal Court of Şırnak, which sentenced jailed journalist Ziya Ataman to 14 years and 3 months in prison on the charge of “terrorist group membership” in September, has issued its judgment. The judgment showed that the court had taken into consideration in its verdict the testimony by Kadir Ataman that was based on hearsay. Kadir Ataman was one of Ziya Ataman’s co-defendants in the case. The court also cited the hunger strike Ziya Ataman participated in among the grounds for conviction. 24 September 2019: Journalist Ziya Ataman Sentenced to 14 Years, 3 Months in Prison Ziya Ataman, a reporter for the Dicle News Agency (DİHA) closed by a Statutory Decree, has been sentenced to 14 years, 3 months in prison. The final hearing of 21 people, ten of whom have been arrested pending trial, was held at the Şırnak 1st Heavy Penal Court today (September 24). The arrested defendants were not taken to the court hall and their testimonies were taken via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS). The attorneys of defendants were present at court. While he was in prison, Ataman had a series of serious health problems, his existing gastrointestinal disorders have deteriorated. Despite the medical reports of prison doctor, Ataman has not been operated. CLICK - Journalist Ataman Under Arrest for 1,185 Days He made his defense in Kurdish Arrested in Van High Security Closed Prison, journalist and seriously ill inmate Ziya Ataman made his defense in Kurdish. In his hearing on July 4, he expressed his request to present his statement of defense in Kurdish. Accordingly, a certified interpreter was present at court. Repeating his previous defense, Ataman underlined that the statements against him were made under torture, reminding the court board and the audience that they withdrew their statements afterwards. Ataman said that he was innocent. Underlining that his long period of arrest caused several illnesses, Ataman requested his acquittal and release. 'Copy-past opinion as to the accusations' Representing Ataman at court, Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) lawyers indicated that the opinion as to the accusations presented by the prosecutor was prepared in a "copy-paste" manner. Ataman sentenced to 14 years, 3 months in prison Announcing its judgement after the break, the court board has ruled that Ziya Ataman shall be sentenced to 14 years, 3 months in prison on charge of "membership of a terrorist organization". As an appeal can be lodged against the verdict, his lawyers have stated that they will appeal against the prison sentence. Doğan: He has been targeted once again Speaking to bianet after the hearing, lawyer Zelal Doğan from the MLSA has reminded us that the Association has been advocating Ataman for a long time and stated the following: "Ziya Ataman has been threatened, targeted and attacked for several times before due to his journalistic activities. Before he was arrested, he was doing journalism in Van, where he went to continue performing his profession in the face of these threats. "We think that Ziya Ataman has been targeted once again. It has been over three years since the lawsuit was filed and Ziya Ataman was arrested. And, today, as a result of a trial based on evidence collected in an unlawful manner, several of his basic rights, especially his freedom of expression, have been violated by his conviction." About Ziya Ataman Ziya Ataman, who was an intern correspondent at the Dicle News Agency (DİHA), was taken into custody in Turkey's eastern province of Van. Ataman, who was detained during news follow-up in Kurubaş Neighborhood in the district of Edremit in Van, was arrested on April 11, 2016. He had eight hearings in the 1,185 days he spent behind bars. The Constitutional Court rejected his application. The judges and prosecutors who tried him were discharged in an investigation against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ, held responsible for the 2016 coup attempt). The upper limit for his arrest, which is two years as it is a case examined by a heavy penal court, has long been exceeded. But he is still behind bars at the Van High-Security Closed Prison. He is waiting for his next case which will be held at the Şırnak 1sy Heavy Penal Court on September 24. Barış Oflas, the attorney of Ataman, told bianet the following: "Ziya has been struggling with intestine diseases for many years. When he was outside, the disease was under control and he was being treated. After the entered prison, the disease began to grow under stress and prison conditions. He faces problems about going to the infirmary and the hospital." "After our efforts, Ziya was sent to the hospital. He was prescribed drugs but was not sent to hospital again although he needs to receive treatment regularly. His disease has progressed. He needs continuous treatment." (HA/SD) 4 July 2019: Prosecutor seeks life imprisonment for jailed journalist Ziya Ataman The trial of jailed former Dicle news agency (DİHA) reporter Ziya Ataman and 18 others resumed on 4 July 2019 at the Şırnak 1st High Criminal Court. Ataman, who has been in detention on remand since 11 April 2016, addressed the court from the Van M Type Prison via the video-conferencing system SEGBİS during the hearing. Submitting their final opinion of the case during the hearing, the prosecution asked the court to convict all nine jailed defendants, including Ataman, of “disrupting the unity and integrity of the state,” “attempting to intentionally kill with premeditation a civil servant because of the public service he performs,” “intentionally killing with premeditation a civil a servant because of the public service he performs,” and “attempting to premeditated murder,” “intentiaonally damaging public property through the use of explosives” and two other charges. The prosecution asked the court to convict Ataman twice of “intentionally killing with premeditation a civil servant because of the public service he performs,” and 32 times of “attempting to intentionally kill with premeditation a civil servant because of the public service he performs.” Lawyers requested additional time for the preparation of the final defense statements in response to the prosecutor’s final opinion. The court told Atman, who asked to make his defense statement in Kurdish, to have his interpreter ready at the next hearing for his defense. Ruling to keep all jailed defendants behind bars, the court adjourned the trial until 24 September 2019. The lawyers were not given minutes of the hearing. 10 June 2019: Journalist Ataman Under Arrest for 1,185 Days Ataman was forced to leave the town he lived after he received threats from the police. The time he spent behind bars exceeded the legal limits and he is not receiving regular treatment although his disease is progressing. Ziya Ataman was an intern reporter of the Dicle News Agency (DİHA) which was shut down in 2016 due to a Statutory Decree. He was detained on April 10, 2016, and arrested a day later on the charge of "membership of a terrorist organization." He had eight hearings in the 1,185 days he spent behind bars. The Constitutional Court rejected his application. The judges and prosecutors who tried him were discharged in an investigation against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ, held responsible for the 2016 coup attempt). The upper limit for his arrest, which is two years as it is a case examined by a heavy penal court, has long been exceeded. But he is still behind bars at the Van High-Security Closed Prison. He is waiting for his next case which will be held at the Şırnak 1sy Heavy Penal Court on September 24. Barış Oflas, the attorney of Ataman, told bianet that he began journalism with distributing Azadiya Welat and Özgür Gündem newspapers in Beytüşşebap district in the mostly Kurdish-populated southeastern province of Şırnak. "His only dream was to be a journalist. He was threatened by the police many times. They wanted him not to distribute these newspapers. When the threats did not stop, Ziya had to leave the district. "After he worked for Özgür Gündem for six months, he was arrested on the excuse of an attack that was previously conducted in the district. The prosecutor's office did not present concrete evidence when he was arrested. "Moreover, his relative K.A. was forced to testify through torture and pressure. K.A. later submitted a petition that says she/he made the statements under pressure but the investigation and the trial are still continuing with those statements. He is facing a life sentence. Although he is proven not guilty, he is experiencing great suffering. "Ziya has been struggling with intestine diseases for many years. When he was outside, the disease was under control and he was being treated. After the entered prison, the disease began to grow under stress and prison conditions. He faces problems about going to the infirmary and the hospital." "After our efforts, Ziya was sent to the hospital. He was prescribed drugs but was not sent to hospital again although he needs to receive treatment regularly. His disease has progressed. He needs continuous treatment. "Although we have been making such requests for over two years, our petitions have been rejected by the prison administration without being considered. "Another request of Ziya is to be sent to the ward of Nedim Türfent, who is also a journalist and sentenced to 8 years and 9 months in prison when he was a reporter for the DİHA." (HA/VK) 26 March 2019: Ziya Ataman remains behind bars in 6th hearing A trial where former Dicle news agency (DİHA) reporter Ziya Ataman is among jailed defendants resumed on 26 March at the 1st High Criminal Court of Şırnak. This was the sixth hearing in the case. Ataman, who has been jailed pending trial since April 2016, and 18 others are accused of eight different charges, including “disrupting the unity and integrity of the state,” “attempting to intentionally kill with premeditation a civil servant because of the performance of a public duty” and “attempting to premeditated murder.” The prosecutor requested the continuation of the detention of all jailed defendants in the case. Addressing the court from the Van Maximum Security Prison via SEGBİS, Ataman requested to make his defense statement in Kurdish. The court told him that he should have an interpreter ready for the next hearing in case he does not speak in Turkish in this hearing. In its interim decision, the court ruled to keep all jailed defendants in the case behind bars and to hand over the case file to the prosecution for the drafting of their final opinion until the next hearing, set for 28 May. 17 January 2019: Ziya Ataman remains behind bars in fifth hearing A trial where former Dicle news agency (DİHA) reporter Ziya Ataman is among jailed defendants resumed on 17 January. Ataman, who has been jailed pending trial since April 2016, and 18 others are on trial on eight different charges, including “disrupting the unity and integrity of the state,” “attempting to intentionally kill with premeditation a civil servant because of the performance of a public duty” and “attempting to premeditated murder.” After hearing the defense lawyers, the 1st High Criminal Court of Şırnak ordered the continuation of detention of all jailed defendants and adjourned the trial until 26 March 2019. 26 October 2018: The fourth hearing of 19 people, nine of whom have been arrested, including journalist Ziya Ataman, the former reporter of the Dicle News Agency (DİHA), which was closed as per a Statutory Decree, was held at the Şırnak 1st Heavy Penal Court today (October 26). While journalist Ataman and the other imprisoned defendants attended the hearing via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS), the other defendants did not appear before the judge. The relatives of the arrested defendants and journalists were not allowed into the courtroom on the alleged ground of its insufficient capacity. Ataman and his attorneys repeated their previous defense and demanded release. The court board has ruled that the arrest of journalist Ziya Ataman shall continue. The next hearing of the case will be held on January 17, 2019. Journalist Ataman, who has been arrested since April 12, 2016, has been facing charges of "disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state", "wilful murder of a public officer due to his/ her duty", "attempted wilful murder of a public officer due to his/ her duty" and "attempted wilful murder". 7 August 2018: Ziya Ataman remains behind bars in 3rd hearing Jailed DİHA reporter Ziya Ataman, in pretrial detention since April 2016, appeared before a Şırnak court on 7 August for the third hearing of his trial. Although Ataman was arrested on the charge of “membership in a terrorist group,” he is charged in the indictment with eight different offences, including “disrupting the unity and integrity of the state,” “attempting to intentionally kill a civil servant because of the public service he performs with premeditation,” “intentionally killing a civil a servant because of the public service he performs with premeditation,” and “attempting to premeditated murder.” Ataman stands trial alongside 18 other defendants. Addressing the court via SEGBİS from the Van Maximum Security Prison, Ataman said the indictment had been prepared without taking his deposition and the accusations were not based on concrete evidence. Adding that he was already in prison at the time of the incident in the indictment, Ataman requested for his release and his acquittal. Lawyers representing Ataman’s co-defendants also told the court that a witness who testified against the defendants for he case file had actually testified under torture and that this person was made to sign a deposition he did not give. Issuing its interim ruling at the end of the hearing, the First High Criminal Court of Şırnak ordered the continuation of Ataman and the rest of the jailed defendants’ pretrial detention, and adjourned the trial until 26 October.

The new Turkey
Ziya Ataman.
Reporter for DİHA

05-Nov-2019 17:21 What happened?

9 October 2019:

Court issues judgment in Ziya Ataman case

The 2nd High Criminal Court of Şırnak, which sentenced jailed journalist Ziya Ataman to 14 years and 3 months in prison on the charge of “terrorist group membership” in September, has issued its judgment.

The judgment showed that the court had taken into consideration in its verdict the testimony by Kadir Ataman that was based on hearsay. Kadir Ataman was one of Ziya Ataman’s co-defendants in the case. The court also cited the hunger strike Ziya Ataman participated in among the grounds for conviction.

24 September 2019:

Journalist Ziya Ataman Sentenced to 14 Years, 3 Months in Prison

Ziya Ataman, a reporter for the Dicle News Agency (DİHA) closed by a Statutory Decree, has been sentenced to 14 years, 3 months in prison.

The final hearing of 21 people, ten of whom have been arrested pending trial, was held at the Şırnak 1st Heavy Penal Court today (September 24).

The arrested defendants were not taken to the court hall and their testimonies were taken via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS). The attorneys of defendants were present at court.

While he was in prison, Ataman had a series of serious health problems, his existing gastrointestinal disorders have deteriorated. Despite the medical reports of prison doctor, Ataman has not been operated.

CLICK - Journalist Ataman Under Arrest for 1,185 Days

He made his defense in Kurdish

Arrested in Van High Security Closed Prison, journalist and seriously ill inmate Ziya Ataman made his defense in Kurdish. In his hearing on July 4, he expressed his request to present his statement of defense in Kurdish. Accordingly, a certified interpreter was present at court.

Repeating his previous defense, Ataman underlined that the statements against him were made under torture, reminding the court board and the audience that they withdrew their statements afterwards.

Ataman said that he was innocent. Underlining that his long period of arrest caused several illnesses, Ataman requested his acquittal and release.

'Copy-past opinion as to the accusations'

Representing Ataman at court, Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) lawyers indicated that the opinion as to the accusations presented by the prosecutor was prepared in a "copy-paste" manner.

Ataman sentenced to 14 years, 3 months in prison

Announcing its judgement after the break, the court board has ruled that Ziya Ataman shall be sentenced to 14 years, 3 months in prison on charge of "membership of a terrorist organization".

As an appeal can be lodged against the verdict, his lawyers have stated that they will appeal against the prison sentence.

Doğan: He has been targeted once again

Speaking to bianet after the hearing, lawyer Zelal Doğan from the MLSA has reminded us that the Association has been advocating Ataman for a long time and stated the following:

"Ziya Ataman has been threatened, targeted and attacked for several times before due to his journalistic activities. Before he was arrested, he was doing journalism in Van, where he went to continue performing his profession in the face of these threats.

"We think that Ziya Ataman has been targeted once again. It has been over three years since the lawsuit was filed and Ziya Ataman was arrested. And, today, as a result of a trial based on evidence collected in an unlawful manner, several of his basic rights, especially his freedom of expression, have been violated by his conviction."

About Ziya Ataman

Ziya Ataman, who was an intern correspondent at the Dicle News Agency (DİHA), was taken into custody in Turkey's eastern province of Van. Ataman, who was detained during news follow-up in Kurubaş Neighborhood in the district of Edremit in Van, was arrested on April 11, 2016.

He had eight hearings in the 1,185 days he spent behind bars. The Constitutional Court rejected his application. The judges and prosecutors who tried him were discharged in an investigation against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ, held responsible for the 2016 coup attempt).

The upper limit for his arrest, which is two years as it is a case examined by a heavy penal court, has long been exceeded. But he is still behind bars at the Van High-Security Closed Prison. He is waiting for his next case which will be held at the Şırnak 1sy Heavy Penal Court on September 24.

Barış Oflas, the attorney of Ataman, told bianet the following:

"Ziya has been struggling with intestine diseases for many years. When he was outside, the disease was under control and he was being treated. After the entered prison, the disease began to grow under stress and prison conditions. He faces problems about going to the infirmary and the hospital."

"After our efforts, Ziya was sent to the hospital. He was prescribed drugs but was not sent to hospital again although he needs to receive treatment regularly. His disease has progressed. He needs continuous treatment." (HA/SD)

4 July 2019:

Prosecutor seeks life imprisonment for jailed journalist Ziya Ataman

The trial of jailed former Dicle news agency (DİHA) reporter Ziya Ataman and 18 others resumed on 4 July 2019 at the Şırnak 1st High Criminal Court.

Ataman, who has been in detention on remand since 11 April 2016, addressed the court from the Van M Type Prison via the video-conferencing system SEGBİS during the hearing.

Submitting their final opinion of the case during the hearing, the prosecution asked the court to convict all nine jailed defendants, including Ataman, of “disrupting the unity and integrity of the state,” “attempting to intentionally kill with premeditation a civil servant because of the public service he performs,” “intentionally killing with premeditation a civil a servant because of the public service he performs,” and “attempting to premeditated murder,” “intentiaonally damaging public property through the use of explosives” and two other charges.

The prosecution asked the court to convict Ataman twice of “intentionally killing with premeditation a civil servant because of the public service he performs,” and 32 times of “attempting to intentionally kill with premeditation a civil servant because of the public service he performs.”

Lawyers requested additional time for the preparation of the final defense statements in response to the prosecutor’s final opinion. The court told Atman, who asked to make his defense statement in Kurdish, to have his interpreter ready at the next hearing for his defense. Ruling to keep all jailed defendants behind bars, the court adjourned the trial until 24 September 2019. The lawyers were not given minutes of the hearing.

10 June 2019:

Journalist Ataman Under Arrest for 1,185 Days

Ataman was forced to leave the town he lived after he received threats from the police. The time he spent behind bars exceeded the legal limits and he is not receiving regular treatment although his disease is progressing.
Ziya Ataman was an intern reporter of the Dicle News Agency (DİHA) which was shut down in 2016 due to a Statutory Decree. He was detained on April 10, 2016, and arrested a day later on the charge of "membership of a terrorist organization."

Barış Oflas, the attorney of Ataman, told bianet that he began journalism with distributing Azadiya Welat and Özgür Gündem newspapers in Beytüşşebap district in the mostly Kurdish-populated southeastern province of Şırnak.

"His only dream was to be a journalist. He was threatened by the police many times. They wanted him not to distribute these newspapers. When the threats did not stop, Ziya had to leave the district.

"After he worked for Özgür Gündem for six months, he was arrested on the excuse of an attack that was previously conducted in the district. The prosecutor's office did not present concrete evidence when he was arrested.

"Moreover, his relative K.A. was forced to testify through torture and pressure. K.A. later submitted a petition that says she/he made the statements under pressure but the investigation and the trial are still continuing with those statements. He is facing a life sentence. Although he is proven not guilty, he is experiencing great suffering.

"Although we have been making such requests for over two years, our petitions have been rejected by the prison administration without being considered.

"Another request of Ziya is to be sent to the ward of Nedim Türfent, who is also a journalist and sentenced to 8 years and 9 months in prison when he was a reporter for the DİHA." (HA/VK)

26 March 2019:

Ziya Ataman remains behind bars in 6th hearing

A trial where former Dicle news agency (DİHA) reporter Ziya Ataman is among jailed defendants resumed on 26 March at the 1st High Criminal Court of Şırnak.
This was the sixth hearing in the case.

Ataman, who has been jailed pending trial since April 2016, and 18 others are accused of eight different charges, including “disrupting the unity and integrity of the state,” “attempting to intentionally kill with premeditation a civil servant because of the performance of a public duty” and “attempting to premeditated murder.”

The prosecutor requested the continuation of the detention of all jailed defendants in the case.

Addressing the court from the Van Maximum Security Prison via SEGBİS, Ataman requested to make his defense statement in Kurdish. The court told him that he should have an interpreter ready for the next hearing in case he does not speak in Turkish in this hearing.

In its interim decision, the court ruled to keep all jailed defendants in the case behind bars and to hand over the case file to the prosecution for the drafting of their final opinion until the next hearing, set for 28 May.

17 January 2019:

Ziya Ataman remains behind bars in fifth hearing

A trial where former Dicle news agency (DİHA) reporter Ziya Ataman is among jailed defendants resumed on 17 January.

Ataman, who has been jailed pending trial since April 2016, and 18 others are on trial on eight different charges, including “disrupting the unity and integrity of the state,” “attempting to intentionally kill with premeditation a civil servant because of the performance of a public duty” and “attempting to premeditated murder.”

After hearing the defense lawyers, the 1st High Criminal Court of Şırnak ordered the continuation of detention of all jailed defendants and adjourned the trial until 26 March 2019.

26 October 2018:
The fourth hearing of 19 people, nine of whom have been arrested, including journalist Ziya Ataman, the former reporter of the Dicle News Agency (DİHA), which was closed as per a Statutory Decree, was held at the Şırnak 1st Heavy Penal Court today (October 26).

While journalist Ataman and the other imprisoned defendants attended the hearing via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS), the other defendants did not appear before the judge.

The relatives of the arrested defendants and journalists were not allowed into the courtroom on the alleged ground of its insufficient capacity. Ataman and his attorneys repeated their previous defense and demanded release.

The court board has ruled that the arrest of journalist Ziya Ataman shall continue. The next hearing of the case will be held on January 17, 2019.

Journalist Ataman, who has been arrested since April 12, 2016, has been facing charges of "disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state", "wilful murder of a public officer due to his/ her duty", "attempted wilful murder of a public officer due to his/ her duty" and "attempted wilful murder".

7 August 2018:

Ziya Ataman remains behind bars in 3rd hearing

Jailed DİHA reporter Ziya Ataman, in pretrial detention since April 2016, appeared before a Şırnak court on 7 August for the third hearing of his trial.
Although Ataman was arrested on the charge of “membership in a terrorist group,” he is charged in the indictment with eight different offences, including “disrupting the unity and integrity of the state,” “attempting to intentionally kill a civil servant because of the public service he performs with premeditation,” “intentionally killing a civil a servant because of the public service he performs with premeditation,” and “attempting to premeditated murder.” Ataman stands trial alongside 18 other defendants.

Addressing the court via SEGBİS from the Van Maximum Security Prison, Ataman said the indictment had been prepared without taking his deposition and the accusations were not based on concrete evidence. Adding that he was already in prison at the time of the incident in the indictment, Ataman requested for his release and his acquittal.

Lawyers representing Ataman’s co-defendants also told the court that a witness who testified against the defendants for he case file had actually testified under torture and that this person was made to sign a deposition he did not give. Issuing its interim ruling at the end of the hearing, the First High Criminal Court of Şırnak ordered the continuation of Ataman and the rest of the jailed defendants’ pretrial detention, and adjourned the trial until 26 October.

The new Turkey Ziya Ataman. Reporter for DİHA