Turkey: Legal Probe Launched Against Pinar Gayip, Who Reported Rape Allegations Against Army Sergeant Musa Orhan

Location: Turkey, Aydin
Date: October 27, 2021

Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe

A legal inquiry has been initiated against Etkin News Agency reporter Pınar Gayıp under allegations of “targeting a counter-terrorism official”. Pınar reported army sergeant Musa Orhan’s rape of İpek Er, who died by suicide after she came forward with Orhan’s assault on her. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the legal harassment of journalists. We remind the authorities that such attempts to keep journalists from holding power to account are intolerable. We demand for legal action against Pınar based on unfounded allegations to be immediately halted. The CFWIJ reiterates, journalism is not a crime.

On May 30, 2021, ETHA published a news story by journalist Pınar Gayıp, revealing 18-year-old İpek Er’s rape. She wrote about the alleged rapist, army sergeant Musa Orhan, who is now on trial for sexually assaulting İpek and driving her to suicide. Subsequently, after the news report was shared on social media, Aydın Chief Public Prosecutor's Office initiated a legal investigation against Pınar under charges of “targeting a counter-terrorism official”.

In her statement, Pınar denied the accusation and maintained that her report was based on evidence she had uncovered after İpek’s death. She reported facts not insults. 

Speaking to CFWIJ about the investigation, Pınar said that in her report she featured Orhan’s text messages to his friends in which he admits to the crime. The journalist quoted Orhan as saying that nothing would happen to his position. Orhan told his friends he had done this before. 

“We journalists may not be able to participate in demonstrations but we speak with our reports and stories. An investigation is being conducted against me and it is in vain because I will not be deterred from my work,” said Pınar . “The state may see these rapes, tortures, and massacres as a ‘right’ of the people involved in counter-terrorism, [but] I am among those who stand against it.” 

Pınar believes the Turkish authorities are carrying out a witch-hunt against journalists shedding light on the allegations against Orhan. The investigation initiated against her only validates the allegations against the army sergeant, she concluded. 

The CFWIJ extends solidarity to Pınar and lauds her courage. We are cognizant of Turkish authorities frequently weaponizing anti-terror laws against journalists speaking truth to power. We denounce the move to intimidate Pınar into silence through legal harassment.

This is not the first time Pınar has faced legal action because of her fierce reporting. Earlier this year, Pınar was detained and subsequently placed under house arrest during an operation against the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) in İzmir. The restrictions imposed in January were lifted five months later, in June after the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office shut the inquiry. 

She was also arrested in April 2018 along with her colleague Semiha Şahin. Both the journalists were charged with being affiliated with a terrorist organization while Semiha faced the additional charge of spreading terror propaganda. It was over a year later, in June 2019, that a court ordered their release from prison and placed them under house arrest. It wasn’t till the eighth hearing of the trial yet ongoing, that the house arrest was lifted. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls for all baseless inquiries and legal action against Pınar Gayıp to be immediately halted. We stand in solidarity with Pınar and other journalists facing persecution for simply doing their jobs. Journalists are obliged to write the truth and inform the public. Such practices to curb the freedom of the press must end. We urge the Turkish authorities and judiciary to drop unfounded legal action against critical and independent voices. Good journalism must be rewarded not punished.

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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.