Journalist Aktepe Detained in Italy
Italy's police forces detained Seda Aktepe, an Atılım newspaper journalist who was sentenced to 3 years of prison for "committing an organized crime while not being an organization member". Aktepe asked for asylum.
Atılım newspaper staff Seda Aktepe has been detained in Italy. Aktepe asked for asylum as she would reportedly be deported to Turkey.
On 10 December 2004 she was arrested for suspicions to be a MLKP member, a leftist organization based in Turkey. On 25 June 2005 Aktepe was released pending a trial.
Later on, an Ankara court found her guilty of "committing an organized crime while not being an organization member", ordering her to serve 3 years and 1 month of prison. In the meanwhile, Aktepe flew to Italy.
According to CNNTürk, Aktepe (29) was detained at a hotel room in Italy and sent to a prison prior to her deportation. A court is expected to respond Aktepe's asylum request in the next 5 days. (EKN/BM)
* Photo credit: Demokrat Haber