Turkey: Journalist Derya Okatan Faces Up More Than Eight-Year Jail Term Over Her Journalistic Coverage
Location: Turkey, Ankara
Date: January 26, 2022Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The second hearing of the trial against journalist Derya Okatan was held today. The prosecutor requested Derya to be sentenced to more than eight years in prison for "propaganda" charges. The court gave additional time for the defendant to prepare a defense and adjourned the next hearing until April 21, 2022. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the prosecution request for the journalist. We demand Turkish authorities to acquit the journalist immediately. Journalism is not a crime.
Derya was accused of "spreading propaganda for an organization in a chain" over a coverage posted on the social media accounts of Etkin News Agency (ETHA). At that time Derya was the editor-in-chief of the news outlet and the social media post was considered as criminal evidence against her. The accusation includes the reports regarding the developments and criticism against the "Operation Olive Branch" launched by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Afrin in 2018.
The second hearing of the case against the journalist was held today at Ankara’s 4th Criminal High Court. Derya attended today’s hearing however, her lawyer did not represent the journalist due to her leave. The prosecutor submitted his opinion and requested Derya to be sentenced to more than eight years in prison for ‘propaganda’ charges. The court gave additional time for the defendant to prepare a defense against the prosecutor’s opinion. The next hearing will be held on April 21, 2022.
In the first hearing, Derya defended herself and said there was nothing to be considered aforementioned on the social media posts that were shared. She also highlighted that the court should be considered those so-called pieces of evidence within the scope of press freedom.
The journalist was detained in Ankara on February 21, 2019, after the police raid on Derya’s house as part of an investigation. Derya was briefly detained after an interview with university student Merve Demirel, and was harassed by a police officer during a demonstration in Ankara on February 16, 2019.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the prosecutor's request against Derya for her journalistic coverage. Journalism has a fundamental duty to inform the public. We remind the Turkish judiciary that journalism is not a crime, and demand an immediate acquittal of the journalist.
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.
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