New Turkey report: May and June saw increased police violence against reporters and 109 journalists stand trial ifex.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ifex.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
JOURNALISTS, trade unionists and human rights organisations have been urged to take action in solidarity with Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporter Mehmet Aslan ahead of his court hearing in Istanbul, Turkey, tomorrow.
Reporters at the agency told the Morning Star that it was essential to take a stand and “build a stronger voice for the freedom of journalists” who are persecuted for their professional activities.
MA is frequently targeted by the Turkish state. Two of its journalists were held for months in relation to the so-called Van case, after they exposed atrocities committed by the military, including throwing two Kurdish farmers from a helicopter, one of whom subsequently died.
Sony World Photography Awards reveal dazzling 2021 National Winners View 24 Images
Zdeněk Vošický, Czech Republic, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards 2/24
Since places of worship are closed, these men pray on the Astroturf pitch, while adhering to social distancing
Mehmet Aslan, Turkey, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards 3/24 4/24
The image was created by taking individual shots of an oxidised iron structure and recomposing them later into a balloon-like image
Shai Apeloig, Sweden, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards 5/24
Hiroki Nose, Japan, 2nd Place, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards 6/24
S. Muramatsu, Japan, 3rd Place, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards
Stunning snaps of people and places around the world
Updated / Sunday, 14 Feb 2021
11:50
The Last Winter by Yukihito Ono, Japan, Winner, National Awards, 2021 Sony World Photography Awards (Yukihito Ono/PA)
From prayers on astro turf to snow-capped trees, a hopeful long-tailed macaque and a mesmeric car park configuration, the National winners of the Sony World Photography Awards 2021 have been crowned.
This portion of the awards (overall winners across all categories will be announced in April) celebrates a project set up by the World Photography Organisation to encourage and champion the work of local photographic communities globally.
These are just some of the winning images to enjoy…
KURDISH journalist Mehmet Aslan vowed to “continue the pursuit of the truth” today as he was jailed by a Turkish court on trumped-up charges of terrorism.
The Mesopotamia Agency reporter was charged with membership of an unnamed terrorist organisation, usually meaning the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
He denies the charges, insisting that “journalism was on trial.”
“I have been working as a journalist for two years. I work at Mesopotamia Agency. I have never been a member of any illegal structure, nor have I any affiliation,” Mr Aslan said.
“The accusations against me were all about my activities as a journalist. I have never been instructed by any organisation to do anything and there is no evidence of it. I deny all accusations.”