Turkey: CFWIJ Demands An End To The Legal Persecution Against Journalists
Location: Turkey, Diyarbakir
Date: March 24, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The second hearing of the trial against Yeni Yaşam Newspaper editor Hatice Şahin on charges of being affiliated with an armed organization was held today at the Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court. The court adjourned the next trial on June 28, 2021. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the constant legal persecution against journalists. We demand Hatice’s acquittal immediately.
The second hearing of the case against Hatice was held today at the Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court. The court ruled to examine court files against individuals whose names were mentioned in secret witness testimonies and refused to lift the travel ban against journalist Şahin. The trial adjourned until June 28, 2021. Hatice Şahin faces up to 15 years sentence in prison with the charges of being a member of an armed terrorist organization if convicted.
An investigation was launched against Yeni Yaşam Journalist editor Hatice Şahin by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on October 9, 2018, and police raided Hatice's home on October 18, 2018. She was detained after the raid as part of the investigation. As a result of the bust in Şahin's home, the police seized her belongings and electronic devices. The journalist was released a day after her detention.
In the indictment, which was completed on October 23, 2020, Hatice was accused of having participated in organizational actions within the scope of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) work. The journalist's travels between Istanbul and Diyarbakır between September and December 2017 were listed and being a member of the Free Women Congress Association was cited as evidence for the terror charges.
The statement of an anonymous witness against the journalist alleged that she attended illegal meetings in which some other journalists were also included. Another witness also claimed the journalist was the spokesperson of the media outlets related to the Union of Communities of Kurdistan (KCK).
In the hearing today, Hatice’s lawyer Resul Temur and the witness Lorin Baran presented at the courtroom. The witness Lorin stated that she was working as a secretary in the Diyarbakır office of the Yeni Yaşam newspaper. She said Hatice Şahin was the reporter of the newspaper and added that she did not witness any illegal activity. Also the lawyer Resul rejected all the accusations made by the secret witnesses. He stated that he will make a detailed report after the prosecutor's opinion will be presented to the court board.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the continuous prosecution against journalists for their journalistic coverages. We believe these attempts are aiming to silence journalists and cast a shadow on the free press. We demand environments where journalists can write freely without being threatened by legal harassment. We reiterate that 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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