Turkey: Journalist Meşale Tolu Should Not Be Tried Without Evidence
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: February 25, 2020Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The trial of German-Turkish journalist Meşale Tolu was held in Istanbul today. She is accused of "being a member of a terrorist organization" and "propagandizing for a terrorist organization". The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands Meşale’s acquittal from all accusations placed against her unless substantial evidence is produced.
According to the indictment, Meşale - a journalist and translator - has been sued for attending a march held in 2014 to protest the killing of Suphi Nejat Ağırnaslı, a student of Boğaziçi University who was killed near Kobane during the fight against ISIS. in 2014, Meşale also took part in an an anti-corruption demonstration organized by the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) in Istanbul’s Kadıköy District. She was also accused of attending the funeral of two women - Yeliz Erbay and Şirin Öter, who were killed during a police raid at a house in Istanbul.
Meşale did not attend the hearing today but her lawyer did. He demanded for the legal basis of the investigation to be proven and missing documents to be completed. The lawyer also requested that the witness should be heard. The next hearing of the case will be held on July 14, 2020.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the unjustified charges on our colleague. We demand that Turkish authorities acquit her immediately. No journalist should be threatened with lawsuits and that they are used against women journalists in Turkey sets a dangerous precedent. It is high time for Turkey to allow freedom of speech and expression in the country, rather than stifling using force.
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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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