Partit Nazzjonalista’s Head of Delegation in the European Parliament David Casa called on the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of the European Union to demand that the Turkish authorities drop the charges against investigative journalist Pelin Ünker. “We cannot remain silent while such injustice continues. Enough is enough,” stated MEP Casa.

Turkish journalist Pelin Ünker is facing a 13-month prison sentence after reporting facts on the Paradise Papers, which make reference to relatives of politicians at the highest level of power in Turkey. “Pelin is a young mother. If the sentence is enforced, she will be separated from her baby. This is a cruel administration. The Turkish people deserve better,” insisted MEP Casa.

After visiting her and her legal team in Istanbul, David Casa has invited Ünker to Malta for an event he is organising next Saturday, which will include the participation of the Maltese civil society. She will also attend Daphne Caruana Galizia’s vigil in Valletta. In this regard, MEP Casa has made another appeal to the Maltese authorities to swiftly issue a visa for Pelin Ünker and her family to be able to visit Malta later on this week.

In his speech at the Plenary Session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEP Casa also made reference to Turkey’s application for full membership in the European Union. “Under this administration, Turkey is further away from EU accession today than when it applied so many years ago. There can be no real democracy without media freedom,” he said, as he made reference to Pelin Ünker’s case.

Pelin Ünker forms part of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.