Turkey: CFWIJ Welcomes The Prosecutor’s Acquittal Request For Journalist Meşale Tolu
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: September 16, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The 14th hearing of the trial in which journalist Meşale Tolu is tried on charges of "being a member of a terrorist organization" and "spreading terrorist propaganda" was held in Istanbul today. Presenting its opinion, the prosecution demanded the acquittal of the journalist. The court adjourned the next hearing to December 24, 2021, accepting the extension requested by the lawyers to prepare their defence to the court. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) welcomes the prosecution's decision. However, we demand Meşale’s acquittal to be taken into account of the court's decision.
The 14th hearing of the case against Meşale Tolu was held today at the Istanbul 29th High Criminal Court. The journalist faces a prison sentence of up to 25 years on charges of spreading terrorist propaganda and being a member of a terrorist organization if she was convicted. Today’s hearing, the prosecutor presented its opinion to the court board and demanded Meşale’s acquittal. While the court’s verdict is expected to be announced today, the next hearing was postponed for the 14th time, with the lawyers' request for additional time for their defence. The next hearing will be held on December 24, 2021.
Meşale was arrested in Istanbul in April 2017 and was imprisoned for more than seven months. She had worked in Istanbul for the ETHA News Agency, among others. The trial against her began in October 2017, around two months later Tolu was released conditionally. In August 2018 she was allowed to return to her home country Germany after the ban on traveling abroad was lifted.
The CFWIJ followed the cases of three female journalists after the judicial vacation ended in early September. The hearings of the three female journalists were again adjourned for various reasons. Journalists are prosecuted on terrorism charges based on their social media posts or their coverage. Just like Meşale Tolu, most of the cases of female reporters end in unjust punishments after years of trial. Considering Turkey’s current political climate, clearly, these policies aim to intimidate journalists.
Therefore, the Coalition For Women In Journalism demands the Turkish authorities to end their policies of silencing and intimidating journalists immediately. We are deeply concerned about the escalating crackdown against journalists in the country. We demand the Turkish judiciary to acquit them of all baseless charges against journalists. 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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