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.