Northern Cyprus: CFWIJ Condemns The Legal Harassment Against Journalists Esengül Aykaç And Deniz Abidin Kuni
Location: Northern Cyprus, Nicosia
Date: June 11, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
A lawsuit was filed against Yenibakış Newspaper reporters Esengül Aykaç and Deniz Abidin Kuni following the article published about corruption. The allegation was that about fifty thousand people will be granted Cypriot citizenship for an exchange of 13 thousand Turkish Lira (TL).
The journalists were released on bail at 3 thousand TL for “violating privacy” and a judicial control condition is applied. Journalists will be prosecuted pending trial. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the trial against Aykaç and Abidin over their journalistic coverage. We demand Cypriot authorities to dismiss the case.
Journalists Esengül Aykaç and Deniz Abidin Kuni were detained on June 3, following the article revealed about the allegation of 50 thousand people being granted citizenship for a bribe. The news entitled "Citizenship in Return for Commission" published in Yenibakış Newspaper on May 26. The journalists, whose testimonies were taken, appeared in court on 4 June. The court ordered the journalists’ release on bail for 3 thousand TL and signed the police for judicial control once every two weeks.
An investigation was launched against the journalists over "violating privacy" for publishing the audio that alleges 50 thousand people would be granted citizenship in exchange for 13 thousand TL. Their IDs and mobile phones were confiscated during their detention. Journalists, who included the audio recording on the newspaper's website, appeared to court after their testimonies. The court ruled the journalists to be tried pending trial and demanded 3 thousand TL bail. Journalists will also sign the police for forensic control every two weeks. The prosecution of journalists continues.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism follows the escalating pressure on journalists in Northern Cyprus recently with great concern. We strongly condemn the unfair accusations based on journalistic activities. Journalists are responsible for revealing the truth of public interest to the agenda for their news coverage. They cannot be prosecuted solely for doing their jobs. We demand the Cypriot authorities dismiss the trial and drop all the charges against journalists. We reiterate once again, journalism is not a crime.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely monitors the incidents in Turkey with great concern. Since March 8, Women's Day, police violence against women journalists increasingly continues in the country. As the coalition, we urge the Turkish state to provide a free environment for journalists. Following the news is our most fundamental democratic right to report. We demand the immediate release of our detained colleagues. Journalism is not a crime. Journalism cannot be prevented.
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