Journalists Deniz Nazlım, Yıldız Tar, and Sibel Yükler detail police of brutality they endured in explosive testimonies. Next hearing is on 25 April.
HAYRİ DEMİR
Three journalists, Deniz Nazlım, Yıldız Tar, and Sibel Yükler, stood trial today (9 January 2024) in Ankara, facing charges of opposing the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations. Their detention and mistreatment by police followed a protest against the arrest of 16 Kurdish journalists in Diyarbakır.
The trial, which began at the Ankara 71st Criminal Court of First Instance, included the journalists' detailed defenses against the accusations. They were represented by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA).
Yıldız Tar, the first to testify, recounted the day of their detention during a press statement. “I was there both to show solidarity with our imprisoned colleagues and for news coverage," Tar stated. She described the detention as sudden and violent, alleging torture by the police, “While being detained in handcuffs, the police also tortured me by pressing on my neck."
Deniz Nazlım addressed the purpose of the blocked press statement, emphasizing it was a part of journalistic activities and also a constitutional right. Nazlım noted the specific nature of the police intervention, “The police said, 'No one can make a statement about terrorists.' When we reacted, they tried to remove us." She also claimed to have been beaten and dragged by the police.
Sibel Yükler spoke of witnessing and experiencing police harassment during their detention, including physical assault and clothing being torn by police officers. She stressed the severity of the mistreatment, which would be evident in the footage.
MLSA Co-Director lawyer Veysel Ok rejected the accusations against the journalists, asserting, “My clients' journalism activities and their right to organize meetings and demonstrations were obstructed." He highlighted the journalists' intent to reach a governorship-designated area, obstructed by the police. Ok also filed a request for the hearing of 23 police officers involved and sought clarification from the Ankara Governorship on the permissions for the press statement.
Lawyer Muhammet Ünsal from the MLSA Legal Unit presented medical reports detailing injuries sustained by the journalists, indicating extensive harm. “From the report details, it is clear that there is almost no part of their bodies that was not injured," Ünsal remarked, accusing law enforcement of committing a crime.
The judge deferred the decision on hearing the police officers as witnesses, pending the collection of other evidence. The next hearing is scheduled for April 25 at 13:30.
