The detention in Turkey of
Italian reporter Gabriele Del Grande is illegal because no
charges have been pressed and it is therefore a purely punitive
measure, his Turkish lawyer Taner Kilic told ANSA Friday.
"We have had no news about possible charges against
Gabriele. His detention is completely illegal, There is no legal
impediment to repatriation, it is a punitive measure," Kilic
said after meeting his client with an Italian consular
delegation in the detention centre at Mugla.
"We asked to see his dossier, but that was denied us. At the
moment, the director of the centre does not have any information
regarding his possible expulsion".
Del Grande has been held in isolation for nine days since his
arrest on the Syrian border 11 days ago, Kilic told ANSA.
"For nine days, since he was moved to Mugla, Gabriele has
been held in isolation," Kilic said.
"He is on hunger strike...he has said he only wants to be
freed and return to Italy".
After 11 days of detention without charges in Turkey, Del
Grande was finally seen Friday by the Italian consul in Turkey
and his lawyer at the administrative detention centre at Mugla.
Del Grande is well but on hunger strike, Foreign Minister
Angelino Alfano said.
"Gabriele is well, he is doing a hunger strike by just taking
in liquids. He has the assistance of a doctor whom I requested
and obtained from the Turkish authorities," Alfano said.
"The meeting with the consul and his lawyer has already
happened. Gabriele has also had an opportunity to meet his
lawyer alone," said Alfano.
"There must be collaboration between our countries
and we trust in his liberation," Premier Paolo Gentiloni said
ahead of the meeting.
European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said "Ankara
should respect freedom of the press if it wants to be part of
the EU".
Del Grande's father Massimo on Thursday thanked the Italian
foreign ministry for working to arrange the meeting with his
layer and the consul, by "doing what it can".
Gentiloni said he hoped that the "problem" of Del Grande "is
swiftly resolved".
Speaking at the Washington-based Center for Strategic &
International Studies (CSIS), Gentiloni said "it is only one
example of the fact that we need a commitment to an inclusive
process" of the whole Turkish population, "with respect for
fundamental rights".
The EU earlier Thursday said that it was backing Italy in its
bid to get Del Grande released as soon as possible.
"The EU acted to support the action of the Italian ambassador
in Ankara, to support the action of the foreign ministry and the
Italian government towards the Turkish authorities," Foreign
Affairs High Representative Federica Mogherini said, saying "we
co-ordinated with Italy from the start".
Meanwhile Del Grande's partner Alexandra D'Onofrio told La
Repubblica newspaper that he had been arrested "just because he
speaks with refugees".
She said "he goes with a backpack on his back and chats, he
spends hours speaking with people in their language, he doesn't
go looking for scoops but for things that will make us think."
Italy was also offered help by the German foreign ministry,
which has a reporter of its own held in Turkey since February,
Deniz Yucel.
Alfano on Wednesday phoned his Turkish counterpart Mevlut
Cavusoglu to "reiterate our firm request for the immediate
release" of Del Grande.
Alfano said he had received the "utmost commitment" from the
Turkish government that "procedures will be completed as soon as
possible".
Del Grande, 34, phoned Italy Tuesday to say he was well but
that he would start a hunger strike to demand his rights be
respected.
"I'm well, they haven't touched a hair on my head but I can't
phone, they seized my cellphone and belongings, although they're
not charging me with anything," said Del Grande using the
administrative detention centre's landline, saying he was
surrounded by four policemen.
Human rights campaigner Del Grande said he would start a
hunger strike that evening "and I urge everyone to mobilise to
demand my rights be respected".
He said "my documents are in order, but I have not been
allowed to name a lawyer, nor have I been informed when this
detention will end.
"The reason for the arrest is linked to the content of my
work. I have been subjected to questioning in this regard. I
have been able to phone only after days of protests".
Lucca-born Del Grande, a blogger and human rights activist,
was arrested in Hatay Province near the Syria-Turkey border.
Del Grande is also a documentary maker who has raised
awareness on migrant issues.
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