Istanbul, Dec 7 () - VICE News journalist and fixer Mohammed Rasool has now been held in a Turkish prison without trial for over 100 days.
Rasool, along with two VICE News journalists Phil Pendlebury and Jake Hanrahan, was arrested by police on charges of “assisting a terrorist organization” on Aug. 27 while they were reporting on clashes in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır.
Pendlebury and Hanrahan were released on Sept. 3, but Rasool remains in detention.
“Today is his hundredth day behind bars. He is seemingly no closer to being released, or even sent to trial, than he was when Phil and I had to leave him behind some 89 days ago” wrote Hanrahan in a post on Dec. 5.
“Rasool is caught in a state of limbo. The Turkish authorities say they’re still investigating — an investigation that has gone on for one hundred days with no progress or end in sight” he said.
"His education is going to waste, as he can't finish his Masters degree behind bars. His intellect and professional expertise are missed by colleagues. But most importantly, his absence on the outside has left a gaping hole for his family. Even if given the chance, I don't think I could look his mother, who Rasool loves so dearly, directly in the eye. She must feel despair at every moment" he added.
(Photo)
