The first hearing of the lawsuit filed against Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporters Semra Turna and Tolga Güney and JINNEWS reporter Melike Aydın due to "terrorist organization membership" on the grounds of their professional activities was held at Izmir 13th High Criminal Court. Journalists and lawyers were present at the hearing. Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) Co-chair Selman Çiçek, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Representative Özgür Öğret and members of Mezopotamya Women Journalists Association (MKG) also followed the hearing. 

 

After the identification, the defence of JINNEWS reporter Melike Aydın was taken. Melike Aydın stated that her professional activities are considered a criminal offence. Melike Aydın said, "I had only news-related conversations with my news sources. The perception that I was 'directing' my news sources is not true. Those who wrote the indictment have no knowledge and ideas about journalism. There are always similar accusaitons. My news archives are again criminalised. Some of my news items were specifically selected and criminalised."

 

Melike Aydın's lawyer Şükran Öztürk pointed out that her client was being tried on similar charges and said, "A journalist interacts with many people. The fact that the news reports made by our client are the subject of the accusaiton has been done deliberately. The aim here is to prevent Melike's journalistic activities. A journalist can cover any issue. There is no news item in the file that has a propaganda purpose. In this sense, we do not accept the offences attributed to our client."

 

The prosecutor asked for the necessary procedures to be taken for the witnesses who were not heard. They also requested the continuation of the judicial control request. Lawyer Şükran Öztürk objected to the prosecutor's demand and asked for the judicial control condition to be lifted and for a verdict of acquittal.

 

'WE DO NOT TAKE INSTRUCTIONS'

 

Journalist Semra Turan stated that she does not accept the accusation of "terrorist organizaiton membership". Pointing out that she works for MA, Semra Turan underlined that all the accusations presented as evidence in the file are professional activities. Semra Turan said, "We are journalists. We do not take instructions from anyone. If it is to be perceived as an instruction, every problem experienced by the society and every event that needs to be heard by the public is an instruction to the journalists living in this country."

 

Semra Turan stated that "Kurdistan" and the "isolation" of Abdullah Öcalan were made the subject of accusations, and that her news reports on the solution of the Kurdish issue were also made the subject of accusations. 

 

Semra Turan added, "Even President Erdoğan himself used the term Kurdistan and we know that he said to his critics, 'If they look at the records, they will see Kurdistan in the first minutes of the parliament'. Most recently, MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli demanded that the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan be lifted and talks with his family be held in the parliament. Subsequently, talks with Abdullah Öcalan took place. Bahçeli also talked about the 'Right to Hope' for Öcalan, in a way asking for his freedom. While these statements made by those who govern the country are not considered a crime, journalists who report on the views and demands of the people are being charged. If an accusation is to be made here, then the President and Devlet Bahçeli will also have to be tried. Because Bahçeli's statements are actually an admission of the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan, which is in violation of international law. It is proof that demanding Öcalan's freedom is not a crime."

 

The prosecutor demanded sentence for Semra Turan due to "terrorist organization membership". The lawyers demanded time.

 

WHAT HAPPENED?

 

MA reporters Semra Turan, Tolga Güney and Delal Akyüz, JINNEWS reporter Melike Aydın, Gazetede Duvar reporter Cihan Başakçıoğlu and DEM Party Press employee Funda Akbulut were detained in house raids in Izmir on 13 February 2024. On 16 February, journalists Melike Aydın, Tolga Güney, Delal Akyüz and Funda Akbulut were referred to the court and released on house confinement.

 

Journalists Semra Turan and Cihan Başakçıoğlu were also released on judicial control conditions of signature 2 days a week. Eight months after the detention, a decision of non-prosecution was issued against Başakçıoğlu. The indictments against Delal Akyüz, Semra Turan, Tolga Güney and Melike Aydın were accepted by Izmir 13th High Criminal Court on 30 October 2024. The first hearing of the lawsuit filed against 3 journalists, 2 of whom have been under house arrest for 1 year, was held today.