EYLEM SONBAHAR
The case against journalists İnan Kızılkaya and İhsan Çaralan, who were being retried over a news article published in the now-closed Özgür Gündem newspaper, has been dismissed.
The trial, held at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, centered around the article titled "Same Place, Same Killer," published on May 31, 2016. Kızılkaya, the newspaper's former responsible managing editor, and Çaralan, who symbolically served as editor-in-chief for a day in solidarity with the paper, faced charges of "insulting the president."
Neither journalist attended the fourth hearing, but their lawyers were present. The prosecutor reiterated the sentencing demand submitted on March 29, 2024. Melih Tüfenkci, representing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, also attended the session.
Defense attorneys Özcan Kılıç and Devrim Avcı Özkurt contested the prosecutor’s statement, calling for acquittal based on a Constitutional Court ruling that found a violation of rights.
The court ultimately ruled to dismiss the case, citing the expiration of the probation period related to a prior deferred judgment (HAGB) decision. This outcome means that both journalists are no longer subject to prosecution in this matter.
Özgür Gündem, known for its pro-Kurdish editorial stance, was closed by an emergency decree in 2016 following accusations of links to terrorist organizations, charges the publication denied. The Turkish government has faced international criticism for its crackdown on media freedom, especially in cases involving alleged defamation of public officials.
