Kurdish journalist charged with membership of PKK gets bail

Journalist Renas Lelikan's supporters outside the court.

A Kurdish journalist charged with being a member of a proscribed terrorist group — the Kurdistan Workers’ Party — was granted bail in the NSW Supreme Court on October 14. He was released on strict conditions, including a surety of $1.5 million.

Sydney-based Renas Lelikan was charged after he returned to Australia in July from northern Iraq, where the PKK is fighting Islamic State (IS).

Lelikan, who appeared via video link, was originally held in Sydney’s Silverwater Prison, but was transferred to Goulburn “Supermax” jail following death threats against him by IS sympathisers.

The court was told Lelikan was being held in isolation and was only allowed out of his cell for an hour a day.

The PKK has been a proscribed terrorist organisation in Australia since August 2005.

Like the article? Subscribe to Green Left now! You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.