Turkey: Journalist Ceren Sözeri's Trial Adjourned Again Due To The Judge's Leave
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: July 14, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The fourth hearing of the case against Evrensel Newspaper columnist Ceren Sözeri was adjourned due to the judge’s leave. Ceren faces a demand for compensation of 200 thousand TL for her news titled "Who made the ruling party AKP lose?”.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the lawsuits filed with claims for excessive compensation based on journalistic activities. It is unacceptable to sue a journalist solely because the coverage conflicts with certain interests. We demand the Turkish judiciary to dismiss the case and acquit the journalist immediately. Journalism is not a crime.
Turkuvaz Media Group filed a lawsuit against the journalist with a claim for compensation of 200 thousand TL, based on the article Ceren wrote about the ruling party and their loss in local elections. The article was entitled "Who made the ruling party AKP lose votes" and, published on April 7, 2019. Turkuvaz Media Group Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors Serhat Albayrak demanded 200 thousand TL from the newspaper together with Ceren.
The fourth hearing of the case was expected to be held at the Istanbul 2nd Commercial Court of First Instance today but was postponed to a further date due to the judge’s leave. The hearing will then be viewed on the file. The second hearing was also postponed for the same reason as today.
Previously, the court ruled to add heirs of recently deceased Evrensel newspaper proprietors to the case and notify them by sending a formal invite including petitions of both parties.
In the following news story, Ceren Sözeri criticised Anadolu Agency because of not updating the results of local elections on March 31 and stated:
“Political parties warned not to trust the agency's data just before all of the ballot boxes were opened, but since the media organizations did not have any other data, they continued to broadcast on the Anadolu Agency’s data. After the agency stopped data entry, everyone was tied hand and foot.”
As the Coalition For Women In Journalism, journalistic activities should not be considered as a crime for the prosecution of our colleagues. We demand the Turkish judiciary to dismiss the defamation case brought against Ceren Sözeri and to immediately acquit the journalist.
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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