Turkey: CFWIJ Condemns The 35th Postponement Of The Trial Against Journalist Yasemin Çongar
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: June 2, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The 35th hearing of the case where the executives of the closed Taraf newspaper including Yasemin Çongar was held today. The journalists were tried on charges of "providing, disclosing and destroying information regarding the security of the state". The court again adjourned the case to October 18-19, giving time for lawyers and journalists to defend against the prosecutor’s accusations. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ), finds that the cases that are constantly postponed aim to intimidate the journalists. We demand Turkish authorities to acquit journalists immediately. Journalism is not a crime.
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 35th hearing of the case was held today at the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court.
Yasemin’s lawyer Figen Albuga Çalıkuşu was present in the courtroom. During the hearing, 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". The court adjourned the next hearing to October 18-19, 2021 for the journalists and lawyers to prepare their defences for the announced accusations.
“CONSTITUTIONAL COURT’S ORDER IS IGNORED”
Speaking to the CFWIJ about the litigation process, 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.
Drawing attention to the decision of the Constitutional Court, Çalıkuşu said the decision is binding for everyone. She also said, the Constitutional Court and the Ministry of Justice have decided that no news has been published about the Sovereign Operation Plan by Taraf Newspaper.
“Today I witnessed a trial that contained legal gaps and logical errors. The case has been going on for years. Today, the law commits suicide, it is plundered. I requested all the court board to not allow these unfair elements in our case. They commit a constitutional crime. They cannot ignore the decision of the Constitutional Court,” she continued.
OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS ARE VIOLATED HERE
She said, “So many constitutional rights are violated here until it comes to freedom of the press. The right to defence is violated. The right to a fair trial is violated. The Constitution is ignored by not listening to the decision of the Constitutional Court.” “Therefore, a penalty is imposed on an unpublished document. Dynamite is being put on freedom of the press,” she quoted.
The Coalition for Women in Journalism finds the reason behind the long-standing case is to intimidate journalists. Journalists are exposed to unfair accusations with unreal allegations. We demand Turkish authorities to follow the constitutional rights and freedoms on trials. We reiterate once again, journalism is not a crime. We demand Yasemin Çongar and the other journalists' acquittal immediately.
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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