Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: April 14, 2021

Available in: 🇹🇷  Türkçe

The third hearing of the trial against Gazete Yolculuk reporter Buse Söğütlü on terrorism charges was held today. The court ordered the trial prosecutor to prepare its judicial opinion and make an additional defence from Buse on the allegation of ‘insulting a public official. The next hearing was postponed to September 14, 2021. The Coalition For Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the case against the journalist on groundless charges. We demand Buse's immediate acquittal. Journalism is not a crime.

In the hearing today at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court, the case came to the light that the journalist was not affiliated with any terrorist organization as a result of the files requested from the counterterrorism unit. However, although there is no element of crime in the indictment prepared against Buse, the court board ordered the journalist to prepare an additional defence for "insulting the public official" this time. The court also ruled the trial’s prosecutor to complete its judicial opinion and adjourned the hearing to September 14, 2021.

An investigation was launched against the journalist at Cumhuriyet Newspaper, over her Twitter post criticizing the judge of Istanbul 37th High Criminal Court. The subject matter of the accusation was Buse’s tweet, quoting an article published at Daily Yolculuk, where she works, and saying “If Hitler came out of his grave and (…) sat in his chair, more or less, he would use the same phrases as well. Professional ethics and all aside; one should carry the weight of the chair he is sitting in.” The judge had ordered the lawyers standing before trial “to stop talking to each other or that he would change their seats”.

The journalist, through this post, was claimed to have “put the aforementioned judge in the target of armed terrorist organisation DHKP-C and other marginal leftist organisations”. She is facing up to 13 years sentence in prison over the charges of “identifying officials on anti-terror duties as targets” and “being affiliated with an armed terrorist organisation” if convicted.

Speaking to CFWIJ, Gazete Yolculuk reporter underlined that the additional defence demanded as a step to be sentence against the journalist, even though there was no terrorism-related crime in the lawsuit filed against her. Buse emphasized that the judge Akın Gürlek, whom she criticized, is very prominent in political trials and is known for his closeness to the government. She also added that the 23rd High Criminal Court, where she is on trial, is also under pressure.

Söğütlü: These Are Attempts To Silence The Criticism Mechanisms

The journalist said that many illegitimate elements have been questioned since the beginning of the case. “The indictment has huge deficiencies in terms of both technical and content. It is a case that should not be accepted from the outset,” she included.

“Almost every day, more than one journalist is on trial for various reasons. This case is also part of this process. Almost every file is enlarged and has the quality of stating the hadith or sending a message to journalists,” Buse drew attention. The journalist continued that the judiciary is looking at the aforementioned cases to silence some criticism mechanisms.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the alleged accusations against journalist Buse Söğütlü with the purpose of punishment. We demand Turkish judges to acquit Buse from all charges she faces immediately. We urge the Turkish authorities to respect the criteria for freedom of expression and press freedom. We demand the Turkish state to end prosecuting journalists solely for doing their jobs. Journalists are obliged to write the truth and cannot be prosecuted.

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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