Turkey: Press Freedom Is Being Curtailed—the Trial Of Journalists Rojda Aydin, Halime Parlak, And Nurcan Yalçin Was Postponed Yet Again.
Location: Turkey, Mardin
Date: October 13, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The second hearing of the trial against journalists Rojda Aydın, Nurcan Yalçın, and Halime Parlak over the charges with ‘being participants in a prohibited gathering, defying police orders to disband’ was held today in Mardin. The court has decided to send the case file to the prosecution to prepare its opinion as to the merits of the case. The next hearing will be held on October 20, 2021.
Jin News correspondent Rojda Aydın, journalists Halime Parlak and Nurcan Yalçın’s trial over the charges of ‘being participants in a prohibited gathering, defying police orders to disband’ was held today in Mardin 1st Criminal Court of First Instance. Lawyers of journalists demanded acquittal of their clients and stated that not only journalists but also press freedom is on trial today.
It was decided to give time to the temporary prosecutor assigned to the file to prepare his opinion. The next hearing will be held on October 20, 2021.
In the first hearing on April 27, 2021, while Nurcan and Halime did not attend the court, reporter Rojda Aydın and all lawyers, related to the case were present. The lawyers requested journalists’ acquittal stating that the lawsuit was illegally filed against them. However, the court rejected the request.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the trial against journalists. We call on the Turkish authorities to respect press freedom. We monitor the escalating pressure on the press in Turkey with great concern. We demand an immediate end to these oppressive practices and arbitrary legal harassment. Journalists must not be persecuted for following and reporting on the developments in the country. 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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