Turkey: CFWIJ Welcomes Journalist Ayşe Kara’s Acquittal
Location: Turkey, Diyarbakir
Date: November 9, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Journalist Ayşe Kara was acquitted on charges of "being a member of a terrorist organization". The court ruled the allegations were unclear that the crime was committed by the defendant. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) welcomes the court's verdict. We demand this decision also set a precedent for other journalists on trial. Journalism is not a crime.
A lawsuit was filed against journalist Ayşe Kara, who was detained in June 2020 as part of the investigation into the activities of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK). She was released conditionally on the charge of being a member of a terrorist organization. The second hearing of the case was held today at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court. The journalist was acquitted of the charges.
Today Ayşe’s lawyer Resul Temur was present in the hearing. The prosecutor of the case presented his opinion and requested to court that the journalist be sentenced on charges of “being affiliated with a terrorist organization" and "spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization". The prosecution stated that the DTK was established to aim at and support terrorist organizations and Aşye was on the DTK's "institutional delegate" list. Allegedly Ayşe was DTK’s female delegate in 2017. Her membership of shut the Free Journalists' Association (ÖGC) and shut the Free Women's Congress (KJA) was cited as evidence in the case file. The prosecutor claimed that her membership in those organizations proves her involvement in the terrorist organization.
After the prosecutor, lawyer Resul Temur said that the opinion of the prosecutor was biased and detached from the case file. He said the rights of defense were restricted under those allegations. He emphasized that Ayşe followed the news in many fields due to her profession. Resul also stated that there is no evidence in the file that his client participated in DTK activities.
The court ruled the allegations were unclear that the crime was committed by the defendant and acquitted journalist Ayşe Kara.
The CFWIJ welcomes the court's decision. This decision must set a precedent for other journalists who are being tried on baseless charges. The court decision once again proved that journalism is not a crime.
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The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
Follow us on Instagram @womeninjournalism and Twitter @CFWIJ. Our website is WomenInJournalism.org and we can be reached at press@womeninjournalism.org
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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