Location: Turkey, Batman
Date: February 17, 2022

Available in: 🇹🇷  Türkçe

The case against the former Dicle News Agency (DİHA) reporter Şerife Oruç was once again adjourned by the judge. Today, the court asked for the testimony given by the witness of the prosecution during the investigation conducted against the journalist. The hearing was adjourned again and the testimony of the witness will be read out at the next hearing on March 24, 2022. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the legal harassment that has been prolonged against journalists. We demand an immediate acquittal of Şerife Oruç.

The journalist was sued for being affiliated with a terrorist organization over the stories she revealed. She was detained at Batman while covering in the field and was arrested on July 5, 2016. She remained behind bars for more than two years on a bogus terror charge and was released on July 9, 2018. She was detained again with an arrest warrant the day after her release. Later, she was freed after one day of interrogation. 

Today (February 17), Şerife’s trial continued for the 19th time at Batman’s 2nd High Criminal Court. The judge adjourned the hearing once again until March 24, 2022, asking the prosecutor’s witness’s testimony, which he gave during the investigation launched against the journalist, be read out on the next hearing. The court also requested Diyarbakır’s Prosecution Office investigation report about Şerife for the next hearing. 

In the previous hearing on November 11, 2021, the court ruled to issue another writ that the secret witness had to attend through the audio-visual information system (the SEGBIS). However, the prosecution witness failed to appear in court again for today's hearing.

The journalist spoke to CFWIJ and said she has been battling this legal harassment for more than five years. She also pointed out that the critical media in Turkey has been pressurized, despite the entire world recognizing that journalism is not a crime.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns prolonged legal persecution against journalists. These practices solely aimed to intimidate and silence critical voices in Turkey. We demand Turkish authorities end the press crackdown. Şerife must be acquitted of all charges immediately. Journalism is not a crime.

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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