Journalists Imprisoned in 2017 - Ali Ünal
| Publisher | Committee to Protect Journalists |
| Publication Date | 31 December 2017 |
| Cite as | Committee to Protect Journalists, Journalists Imprisoned in 2017 - Ali Ünal, 31 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a5c94544.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Zaman | Imprisoned in Turkey | August 14, 2016
| Job: | Columnist/Commentator |
| Medium: | Internet, Print |
| Beats Covered: | Politics |
| Gender: | Male |
| Local or Foreign: | Local |
| Freelance: | No |
| Charge: | Anti-state |
| Length of Sentence: | Not Sentenced |
| Reported Health Problems: | No |
Police detained Ali Ünal, a former columnist and lead writer for the shuttered daily newspaper Zaman, at his house in the western province of Uşak on August 14, 2016, as part of a sweeping purge of suspected followers of exiled preacher Fethullah Gülen, according to press reports. The government accuses Gülen of maintaining a terrorist organization and "parallel state structure" (or FETÖ/PDY, as the government calls it) within Turkey that it blames for orchestrating a failed military coup on July 15, 2016.
Authorities transferred Ünal to a detention facility in Istanbul on August 15, 2016, CNN Turk reported, and a court in Istanbul arraigned the journalist the following day on accusations of "being a member of an armed terrorist organization," "aiding a [terrorist] organization," and "making propaganda for a [terrorist] organization," according to press reports, which did not identify the name of the detention center where he was held.
A court in March 2016 ordered the government to appoint trustees to manage Feza Media Group, which formerly published Zaman, saying the company had links to FETÖ/PDY. The government then used emergency powers it assumed after the failed July 2016 coup attempt to order the newspaper closed by decree. Police have arrested dozens of former Zaman journalists on terrorism charges, citing their former employment at the newspaper as evidence.
In July 2017, the state-run Anadolu News Agency reported that said prosecutors presented a 228-page indictment against Ünal to the 2nd Uşak Court of Serious Crimes. The indictment did not specify the exact charges but said that authorities recognized Ünal as a leader of FETÖ. If convicted, the journalist could be sentenced to two life sentences without the possibility of parole plus a further 29 and a half years.
Anadolu reported that the indictment described Ünal, as head writer for Zaman, and claimed he was "managing the media operations of FETÖ" to manipulate the public.
Anadolu reported that the indictment claimed that Ünal was allegedly close to and in direct contact with Gülen; had traveled abroad 46 times and met with Gülen on most trips; and translated some of Gülen's books. It did not specify the timeframe for the alleged travel and meetings. The indictment added that Ünal had an app called Kakoa Talk, which is similar to Bylock, the encrypted communication app that authorities claim is evidence of FETÖ membership. Ünal also had an account at Bank Asya, which the government also claims is evidence of FETÖ membership.
In late 2017, CPJ was unable to find contact details for a legal representative for Ünal. CPJ could not determine in which prison Ünal was held.
