Turkey: Journalist Evrim Kepenek Stands For SLAPP Over Her Child Abuse Report
Location: Turkey, İzmir
Date: June 22, 2022Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The second hearing of the case against Bianet editor Evrim Kepenek for exposing a father abusing his six-year-old child was held in İzmir. The court adjourned the next hearing to November 1 and decided to wait for the final verdict of the trial in which the father was prosecuted with a "sexual abuse of a child" charge. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) congratulates Evrim for achieving exemplary journalism and extending solidarity. We demand the Turkish authorities dismiss the case immediately.
The second hearing of the case against Evrim on the charge of "insulting" was held at the Selçuk Criminal Court of First Instance. According to Sevda Aydın from the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), journalist and lawyer Meriç Eyüboğlu did not attend the hearing. Three people on trial from the same file were present in the courtroom.
The hearing started with the complainant's lawyer, Merve Şarlan, defense. The lawyer requested the court forcibly bring the journalist to the next hearing. The lawyer claimed that the journalist prolonged the trial by not attending. The lawyer also submitted screenshots to the court, claiming that the other defendants continued to target her client by sharing the trial details on social media.
The lawyer of the defendants Barış Özbay said that the screenshots presented to the court as similar images already were included in the file as evidence.
After the defenses, the court accepted the journalist and her lawyer’s absence and rejected the request of Refik Y's lawyer for forcibly bringing the defendant. The court adjourned the next hearing to November 1 and ordered to wait for the outcome of the trial in which Refik Y. is on trial on the charge of "sexual abuse of a child".
Evrim revealed a story about a six-year-old child who was abused by the father, Refik Y., in March 2021. However, after her coverage, the journalist was called to give a statement because Refik Y. filed a police complaint against the journalist, alleging that Evrim insults and violates his privacy. Refik Y. was first arrested for abusing his child and released under judicial control after a month of remaining in prison. A SLAPP case was filed against her and the trial is still ongoing.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism congratulates Evrim Kepenek for successful journalism. We stand with the journalist. We demand the Turkish authorities penalize the person instead of being released. Perpetrators of crimes should be prosecuted, not journalists. 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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