Turkish reporter Ismail Saymaz faces 79 years in prison for writing articles in the Turkish daily newspaper Radikal.

He has nine separate legal cases against him. Among the charges are violation of the secrecy of an investigation, insult and an attempt to influence a fair trial.

Saymaz says: “I only do my job as a reporter, inform the public on the events that the public is interested in, and supply them with objective information. I do not try to influence in any way.”

He is supported by the International Press Institute (IPI), which argues that certain Turkish laws and the country’s penal code are inimical to press freedom.

One of IPI’s Turkish members, Ferai Tinc, said the laws prevent journalists from doing their job. She added: “At present, 48 journalists are in prison and more than 700 journalists face imprisonment.”

IPI press freedom manager Anthony Mills said: “IPI reiterates that it is unacceptable that journalists be criminally charged simply because the content of what they write is not liked by the authorities.”

Source: IPI