The international organization Reporters without Borders (RSF) is organizing a press conference in Istanbul today (19 April). The RSF representatives aim at drawing attention to arrests and prison threats for journalists and impunity of journalist murders.

Members of the RSF observed the trial against journalists Ertuğrul Mavioğlu and Ahmet Şık who are being prosecuted on the grounds of their book "A guideline to understand Ergenekon". Subsequent to the hearing, the RSF representatives had various meetings with journalists and lawyers.

Johann Bihr, representative of the RSF Europe Office, came to Turkey to monitor the hearing of Ahmet Şık before the Kadıköy (Istanbul) 2^nd Criminal Court of First Instance last week. However, Şık was not able to appear at court because supposedly there was not suitable vehicle available for his transport from prison to the courthouse.

Press conference joined by Turkish journalists

RSF Secretary General Jean Francois Julliard holds a press conference this morning (19 April). Journalist İsmail Saymaz and Sibel Güneş, Secretary General of the Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) attend the conference on behalf of their arrested colleagues Ahmet Şık and Nedim Şener.

The arrests of journalists in Turkey and violations of press freedoms in general will be on the agenda of the press conference. The event will take place at the Istanbul Branch of the Mechanical Engineers Chamber of the Turkey Union of Chambers of Architects and Engineers (TMMOB) in Beyoğlu (European side of Istanbul). (EÖ/VK)