EYLEM SONBAHAR
The trial of journalists Haluk Kalafat and Elif Akgül, charged with "publicly denigrating the Turkish nation" due to their news reports on the "Armenian genocide," has been postponed to July 2. The fourth hearing of the case was held at Istanbul's 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
Veysel Ok, Co-Director of the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), defended Kalafat and Akgül, asserting that the articles published on Bianet.org were part of their journalistic duties. Ok reiterated their request for acquittal and raised a statute of limitations objection, stating, "The articles published on Bianet.org are journalistic activities. Considering the publication dates of the articles in question, the statute of limitations has expired."
The trial attracted attention from international observers, including Erol Önderoğlu, the Turkey representative of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and representatives from the U.S. Consulate and various foreign organizations. The prosecutor repeated the previous request for a conviction, as stated in the main opinion submitted on October 19, 2023.
During the hearing, Ok presented documents related to Bianet.org's registration to the court. He argued, "The fact that the site management did not submit a periodical declaration to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office does not change the reality that Bianet.org is a news site. It is not feasible for the employees to investigate whether such a declaration has been submitted. My clients are journalists engaged in journalistic activities. The statute of limitations on the articles in question has expired."
Ok also submitted to the court the acquittal decisions from similar cases, including those of the Co-Chair of the Human Rights Association (İHD), Eren Keskin, and Diyarbakır Bar Association members, all charged with the same offense regarding the commemoration of the Armenian genocide. Additionally, he presented an opinion prepared by Lawyers For Lawyers and MLSA.
The court decided to review the documents presented by Ok, including the registration of Bianet.org and previous court rulings. The hearing was adjourned to July 2 for further examination.
