Turkey: No Relief For Buse Söğütlü, As Istanbul’s Court Adjourns The Case For The Second Time
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: December 28, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Legal ordeal for Gazete Yolculuk reporter Buse Söğütlü along with 35 women continues as the trial was adjourned for the second time. The second hearing of the case against the journalist was postponed to April 28, 2022. The journalist faces charges for following March 8 International Women’s Day March in 2020. The court accepted the participation of the Finance Treasury in the case for the possibility of being harmed by the women’s march. An arrest warrant was issued for the three defendants. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) demands the immediate acquittal of journalist Buse Söğütlü, who carries out her journalistic activities. Journalism is not a crime.
In 2020, 35 women who participated in the 8 March Feminist Night, including Gazete Yolculuk reporter Buse Söğütlü, were sued for ‘being participants in a prohibited gathering, defying police orders to disband’, “resisting the public duty” and "damaging property". The second hearing of the case was held at the Istanbul 58th Criminal Court of First Instance. The court adjourned the hearing to April 28, 2022, accepting the participation of the Finance Treasury in the case of the possibility of being harmed by the women’s march. An arrest warrant was issued for the three defendants who did not attend the hearing.
In the court, the judge commended, men in Turkey were killed more often than women when defendants did not accept the allegations and defended that they protested the violence against women. When the judge asked defendants that men should take action, the defendants reminded the judge of the constitutional right to protest.
Journalist Buse Söğütlü also took to her Twitter account about the trial. "Journalists are either unable to do their job because they face harsh police brutality in the field or they are detained and verbally abused. These are used as tactics to silence journalists and we cannot accept it,” she said.
Announcing its interim decision, the court adjourned the case by deciding to issue an arrest warrant for the three defendants who did not attend the hearing and to accept the participation of the Finance Treasury for the possibility of being harmed by the women’s march. The court also ruled to hear who attacked women in the demonstration in the next hearing. The next hearing will be held on April 28, 2022.
This case is not the only case against Buse Söğütlü. She faces bogus terrorist charges for criticizing the İstanbul’s court judge Akın Gürlek on social media. If convicted, the journalist may be sentenced in prison up to 13 years for "targeting those who took part in counter-terrorism".
The CFWIJ condemns the legal harassment against women journalists for solely doing their job. We demand the Turkish authorities to allow journalists to do their work freely and safely. 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.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.