Turkey: CFWIJ Condemns Requested Prison Sentence Against Jin News Editor Roza Metina
Location: Turkey, Diyarbakir
Date: September 14, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The second hearing of the case against Jin News Kurdish editor Roza Metina was held today in Diyarbakır. The prosecutor gave its opinion to the court and demanded a 15-year prison sentence for the journalist. Upon the request of the defence, the court adjourned the trial until October 12, 2021. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the prosecution's request. We demand the Turkish judiciary to acquit the journalist immediately.
The second hearing of the trial against Roza Metina, a Kurdish news editor in Jin News and Kurdish Pen member, was held at Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court. Roza was charged with being affiliated with a terrorist group. She was detained and released within the scope of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) investigation initiated by Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on November 20, 2020. While the journalist did not attend the court, her lawyer Resul Temur was present. At the hearing held today, the prosecutor presented its opinion to the court and demanded a 15 years sentence in prison.
Claiming that the journalist was a delegate from the documents found during the raid of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) building, the prosecutor requested that Roza be sentenced for "being a member of a terrorist organization". According to MLSA, the prosecutor claimed that the journalist participated in the actions organized by DTK and she aimed actions that amounted to causing social segregation and influencing the masses of the people. The prosecutor's office also said that together with other DTK members, Roza broke the unity and integrity of the state to ensure "so-called" Kurdish national unity on the lands of the four countries.
Lawyer Resul Temur later requested additional time from the court to defend against the claims. Upon the request, the court adjourned the hearing to October 12, 2021.
Roza was taken into custody as part of the investigation launched on November 20, 2020, and was released conditionally on 23 November 2020, after three-day detention. Following the investigation, a lawsuit was filed against her over charges of being a member of a terrorist organization. In the indictment, activities at the DTK, her membership in the Kurdish Writers' Association, and the banned books, which were seized during the police raid, were placed as criminal evidence.
In the previous hearing, the journalist stated that her profession was journalism, and she was a member of the Kurdish Writers Association. She quoted that the association was legal before it was closed in 2016. Roza said that the books mentioned in the indictment were for her research. Adding to her defence, she had no relations with DTK and objected to all the accusations against her. She demanded her acquittal from the court board.The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the prison sentence demanded by the prosecutor's office for up to 15 years for Roza Metina. We demand the journalist’s 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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