Turkey: Six-Yar Trial Adjourned Again – CFWIJ Demands Journalist Yasemin Çongar’s Acquittal Immediately

Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: October 18, 2021

Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe

In an interim order İstanbul court denied lawyers' request for recusal of journalist Mehmet Baransu from the court. The committee adjourned the 36th hearing of the case against Yasemin Çongar and four other executives of the now shut Taraf newspaper till November 12, 2021. The verdict was expected to be announced tomorrow (October 19). Four former executives including Yasemin are on trial for “disclosing classified information”. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the lawsuits against journalists that cast a shadow on the free press. We reiterate that journalism is not a crime and demand the immediate acquittal of Yasemin.

Former executives of the closed Taraf newspaper, Yasemin Çongar, and Ahmet Altan, and its reporters Yıldıray Oğur and Mehmet Baransu, were tried on charges of "obtaining, disclosing and destroying information about the security of the state" over publishing the secret document called "Sovereign Operation Plan" which was belonged to the General Staff. The 36th hearing of the case was held today at the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court. The court adjourned the hearing once again.

While Mehmet Baransu attended the hearing held today, the lawyers of the other defendants were present in the courtroom. Reporter Mehmet Baransu and his lawyer Çiğdem Koç requested recusal of the court committee. However, the court denied this request.

Previously, the prosecutor demanded a prison sentence of five to ten years for the journalist over the charge of "disclosure of information regarding the security and political interests of the state". Announcing its interim decision, the court decided to continue the detention of Mehmet Baransu. Also, the court board refused the lawyers' request for recusal of Mehmet Baransu and adjourned the 36th hearing of the case until November 12, 2021.

Speaking to the CFWIJ in the previous hearing, Lawyer Figen Albuga Çalıkuşu said that Yasemin did not reach any documents related to the 'Sovereign Operation Plan’, and there is no evidence in the case file that she covered a story about it. 

“So many constitutional rights are violated here until it comes to freedom of the press. The right to defense is violated. The right to a fair trial is violated. The Constitution is ignored by not listening to the decision of the Constitutional Court.” she quoted to the CFWIJ. 

CFWIJ considers that the cases that are constantly adjourned aim to silence critic voices and intimidate journalists. We demand fair trials in Turkey, and the authorities to acquit all journalists on trial. Journalism is not a crime.

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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.

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