Turkey: Journalist İzel Sezer Sued For Insulting Erdogan’s Former Lawyer Mustafa Doğan İnal
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: December 7, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
A lawsuit was filed against İzel Sezer, the Chief Editor of Ileri Haber, on charges of insulting President Erdogan’s former lawyer. İzel faces a prison sentence of up to 11 years and four months if convicted. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the legal harassment of journalists for their journalistic activities. We consider those trials with baseless accusations are used as a new method to intimidate journalists. We demand these policies be abandoned immediately. Journalism is not a crime. The case should be dismissed immediately.
A defamation case was filed against the former Editor-in-Chief of Ileri Haber, Doğan Ergün, and the current Editor-in-Chief, Izel Sezer, with a prison sentence of up to 11 years and four months. The social media posts were cited as criminal evidence that was covered and revealed on İleri Haber’s website. The story was about President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's former lawyer, Mustafa Doğan İnal, that allegedly bargained for bribes.
As a result of an investigation, journalists testified to the Press Crimes Bureau of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Allegedly, İzel and Doğan were accused of openly insulting lawyer Mustafa Doğan İnal. They are also charged with unlawfully recording and disclosing private conversations between people through the press. The prosecutor demanded a prison sentence of up to 11 years and four months against journalists.
The first hearing of the case will be held on Thursday, December 23 at the Istanbul 33rd Criminal Court of First Instance.
The book called "Cendere" alleged that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's former lawyer, Mustafa Doğan İnal, negotiated a bribe. The book was written by journalists Barış Terkoğlu and Barış Pehlivan. Following those claims, MP Ahmet Şık asked the Justice Minister of Turkey to explain those allegations through his social media account.
Ahmet Şık also included a transcript of the conversations between İnal and some members of the judiciary. Those documents included the case file regarding the prevention of the 20 million TL that the French company Tefal should pay to a fire company.
After the posts, Mustafa Doğan İnal filed a complaint against the journalists and an investigation was launched against them.
The CFWIJ stands with the journalists who have achieved good journalism with their coverage. Journalists are responsible for reporting developments that interest the public. We demand the Turkish authorities comply with the criteria for press freedom and dismiss the trial against the journalist. 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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