Turkey: Journalist Canan Coşkun's Trial Postponed To The Next Year.

Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: November 12, 2020

Available in: 🇹🇷  Türkçe

The third hearing of the trial against journalists Canan Coşkun, Ali Açar and Cansever Uğur was held at Istanbul’s 34th High Criminal Court on charges of "targeting the counter-terrorism officer to terrorist organizations". The trial was postponed to February 23, 2021, due to the lawyers needing to complete their defence. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the legal harassment of journalists who are bringing public issues to light and demands their acquittal.

During the Taksim Gezi Park protests, Berkin Elvan died as a result of a tear gas canister thrown by a police officer on June 16, 2013. After Berkin’s death, an investigation was conducted into the murder, with several journalists covering the details of the inquiry. Relating to the news stories they aired, one of the police officers involved in the investigation claimed that he was revealed and targeted by leftist organizations threatening his life. Consequently, journalists Canan Coşkun, Ali Açar and Cansever Uğur face a prison sentence of one to three years.

Canan’s story, "The Police Allegedly Shot Berkin Elvan Did Not Remember His Place of Duty", was published in the Cumhuriyet newspaper in March 2016. She stated in the first hearing that the police who shot Berkin Elvan could not even be identified for three years prior to her report. She added, to her defence, that she did not endorse the accusations.

At the third hearing, the court board gave additional time for the lawyers to complete their defence and to submit the documents requested from the police. The next hearing for the trial was postponed to February 23, 2021.

This trial is not the first case filed against Canan Coşkun. Previously, a lawsuit was filed on allegations of insulting the President for the article she wrote titled "Erdoğan ordered, journalism arrested". Coşkun was eventually acquitted from the charges.

Speaking to the CFWIJ about the threats and harassment against journalists, Canan Coşkun said “I don't think it is just oppression against women journalists. There has been oppression against journalism and all those who defend freedom of expression and the press.” She continued, “This is not just a new element that we are facing now. Adding to that, this is not only related to the last period of the ruling party AKP too. When you take a look at these cases, and being a witness in the courts, you can easily realize that the state has made these sanctions as organized practices. Essentially, the state tries to strangle journalism with intolerant practices.” she added.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism reminds, once again, that reporting for public interest should not lead to arbitrary indictments. We believe freedom of the press must exist to ensure a free and fair society. We demand that Canan Coşkun and other journalists be acquitted of all charges against them.

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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.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.